Rye Hunt's sister names newborn after uncle he'll never meet

Rye Hunt's sister has given birth to a baby boy just days after her brother's body was formally identified in Brazil.

Romany Brodribb named the new arrival Edward James Rye in honour of her baby brother, whose death has left her heart "fractured".

"I don't think I've begun to process the enormity of what life without my baby brother will be like," Ms Brodribb wrote on Facebook.

"But I know that he was loved - by so many of us. And I know he would want his life to be celebrated."

Mr Hunt's girlfriend, Bonnie Cuthbert, also took to social media to mourn the Tasmanian tourist, who was last seen in Rio de Janeiro airport on May 21.

"Who would have thought that sitting on the bus together 13 years ago would lead us to building a beautiful life together and home within each other?" she wrote.

"As hard as it is, I feel so lucky. What we got to experience together was a once in a lifetime love and I am so grateful that I got to share it with you. Let's bring you home now bubba."

The 25-year-old's remains were returned to Ms Cuthbert and Mr Hunt's uncle, who are in Brazil, earlier this week.