Body found during search for missing South Australian man Joshua Demell

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who is suspected of being deceased.

Police have confirmed a body has been found north of Port Augusta during renewed efforts to locate missing man Joshua Demell, who vanished in late January.

The discovery was made on Friday in scrubland near Yorkeys Crossing — the same remote area where Joshua, 39, was last seen and where his abandoned motorbike was located on January 24.

Major Crime and Missing Persons Investigation Section officers were back in the region this week conducting targeted searches with the Mounted Operations Unit, SES volunteers, local detectives and aerial support.

Police had earlier identified several new areas requiring examination following a review of the original two‑week search.

A spokesperson said the body was located during one of these planned search operations. The remains are yet to be formally identified, and police say it is too early to confirm whether they belong to Joshua.

Joshua was reported missing after failing to return home from riding his motorbike around Yorkeys Crossing.

He was described as 173cm tall, stocky, with a mullet‑style haircut, brown eyes and a large cross tattoo on the right side of his neck. Police had long held grave concerns for his safety.

Police say an update will be provided once identification processes are complete.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.