Body found after German teen kidnapped for ransom

Police say a body found in eastern Germany is likely to be that of a 17-year-old girl who was kidnapped for ransom while walking her dog last week.

Authorities said the body was found on Monday night at a local farm during a search near the city of Meissen, NBC News reports.

"The circumstances point to the fact that this could be the kidnapped woman, but final confirmation is outstanding," a police spokesman told NBC.

The story made headlines across Germany after it was revealed the girl's alleged kidnappers had demanded 1.2 million euros (A$1.8m) for her return.

The girl had only been identified as Anneli-Marie R due to privacy concerns.

She had been out walking her dog in the countryside on Thursday night when she disappeared. The dog was found later that night.

The girl's family, described by the German media as business owners, received a demand for ransom shortly after the kidnapping, police said.

They released a statement the day before the body was found saying they would fulfill the demands "to be able to hug our child soon".

Two suspects have been arrested over the case and are being interviewed by police.