After nearly 10 years of searching, the parents of missing Sydney man Matthew Leveson can finally lay their son to rest, with human remains found in dense bush south of the city confirmed as his.
The major breakthrough in the search arrived when police scouring a section of the Royal National Park at Waterfall found remains beneath a cabbage tree palm about 2.30pm on Wednesday.
They were taken for DNA testing and on Sunday confirmed as belonging to Mr Leveson, who was last seen nearly 10 years ago, a police spokeswoman told AAP on Sunday evening.
Mr Leveson was last seen leaving Darlinghurst's ARQ nightclub in 2007 with boyfriend Michael Atkins, who was acquitted of murder in 2009.
Mr Atkins led police to the burial site last year after he struck a deal with the Attorney-General for immunity from perjury and contempt of court.
He'd previously been given a certificate by a NSW coroner, meaning evidence he was compelled to give at the inquest into Mr Leveson's death couldn't be used against him in any criminal proceedings. Legal experts say it's now unlikely fresh charges will be laid due to the deals.
The Leveson family took to Facebook to thank loved ones who had helped and supported the search for the 20-year-old.
Mark and Faye Leveson never gave up on finding their son's body, spending every day at the site as well as during two previous unsuccessful search operations in November and January.
Finally able to bring their son home to rest, the parents decided to take home the cabbage palm tree that Matthew's remains were found beneath, and plant it in their own garden.
Police find bones in Royal National Park
Mark Leveson published images of 'Matt's Palm' to his Twitter account, to show loved ones and supporters that their son was home at last.
Supporters from around the country sent messages of love and support to the Leveson family, after news broke that their son's remains had been found.
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