COLAC anti-violence campaigner Tim Gaylard is believed to have drowned in the Murray River.
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The 27-year-old was swimming under the bridge at Echuca/Moama when he disappeared about 6.30pm Saturday.
Police from Deniliquin Local Area Command started an extensive land and water search for Mr Gaylard, but failed to locate him.
The search resumed early Sunday with NSW police assisted by Victoria police — including divers, State Emergency Service volunteers and other rescue members.
At 10.10am a man’s body was found downstream from where Mr Gaylard was last seen. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Mr Gaylard campaigned against alcohol-fuelled violence after he was felled by a single punch outside a Barongarook birthday party on August 17, 2009.
The floor tiler was rushed to The Alfred hospital after the attack. Mr Gaylard eventually woke from a 17-day coma but was left with an acquired brain injury and epilepsy.
A 16-year-old Colac youth was convicted over the assault and received a 12-month community corrections order.
On Sunday, Mr Gaylard’s Facebook page was inundated with messages from friends and family mourning his death.
Just hours before he disappeared, Mr Gaylard shared a photo of himself holding a fish he had caught and telling his Facebook friends he was having a great time.
