But what happened next may never be clear, after a two-day search for Tenambit teenager Jay Fowler ended on Wednesday morning with the tragic discovery of the 19-year-old’s body near the bottom of a 100-metre cliff at McLean’s Lookout, in the Heaton State Forest near Freemans Waterhole.

‘‘The most likely scenario is that Jay got too close to the edge and has fallen, but we do not know for sure,’’ Central Hunter duty officer Inspector Greg Lindsell said.

‘‘He has gone for a comfort break and when he hasn’t returned, his friends and family started searching.’’

Jay’s family is part of the Plymouth Brethren community, with members camping when he went missing and others travelling to the area as the search continued.

Jay’s father, Kevin Fowler, told media after his son’s body was discovered of how ‘‘what was supposed to be an enjoyable weekend outing has ended in tragedy this morning’’.

‘‘The family would like to pass on its sincere thanks to all the emergency services that have worked so hard over the last few days and provided such constant help and encouragement,’’ Mr Fowler said.

‘‘We’d also like to thank the media for helping publicise it in the hope that Jay would be located safe and well.

‘‘As I said this is a very difficult time for the family and friends who are devastated by what has happened.

‘‘The family would appreciate their privacy being respected and won’t be making any further comment.’’

Jay’s body was located by a search party about 9am on Wednesday, two days after he first went missing.

A police helicopter was able to help recover his body from the bottom of the high cliffs about 3.15pm on Wednesday.

When news broke that Mr Fowler’s body had been found, his friends and family left messages of support online.

“Kevin, Ingrid and family thoughts and prayers are with you,” relatives from the UK posted online and another friend wrote “our prayers are with the Fowler family at this time”.