Dane Kowalski's mother says a note found near his body reveals he was bitten by a snake.
Mr Kowalski's body was found in remote South Australian scrub on Friday, months after the 27-year-old Melbourne tradesman disappeared.
His remains were found about 350 metres from his ute, which was discovered earlier at the site near Coober Pedy.
His mother Vera Kowalski says there was a hastily written note lying next to the body that read "I've been bit by a snake".
She says earlier investigations showed her son's ute might have become bogged.
"There were sticks under the tyres and on the track," Ms Kowalski told News Corp.
"He had been trying to turn the car around and it got stuck."
Mr Kowalski was last seen in Melbourne on December 13 and was thought to be travelling to Darwin.
His friends set up a Find Dane Facebook page and raised a $50,000 reward for anyone with information.
A post on the page on Friday said he had been found dead.
"We are all absolutely heartbroken and lost," the post said.
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