EXCLUSIVE
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Police have confirmed that a man killed in a car crash outside Crookwell is missing Illawarra man Gary Pearce.
Officers were called to Boorowa Rd, Narrawa around 3pm on Sunday, June 9 following reports of a burnt out car in bushland.
Police said it appeared the car had lost control and left the roadway and travelled through a paddock and hit a tree.
The car then caught alight and was completely destroyed, police said.
An Illawarra police spokesman confirmed on Thursday Mr Pearce had been formally identified after extensive DNA testing.
A report will be prepared for the coroner, the spokesman said but it appears at this stage Gary died as a result of the car accident.
Mr Pearce went missing on April 24 and his parents Jo and Gary pleaded for anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
On Thursday, after getting the confirmation of her son's death Mr Pearce's mum Jo thanked the community for their support.
"He was a fun loving boy who always made us laugh," Mrs Pearce said.
"Our lives will never be the same without him.
"We are totally devastated, beyond words."
In May, the Pearce family issued a $10,000 reward for information about Gary's disappearance.
"Somebody out there knows where he is, what has happened to him. We just want them to tell us," Mrs Pearce said at the time.
"Our only agenda is to bring him home, whatever the situation is so he can be home and we have closure," she said.
"If he's alive let him come home. If he has passed away let us put him to rest.
"He doesn't deserve to be out there as though he is nothing."
Deep in her heart Mrs Pearce knew something was wrong because Gary had previously kept in daily contact with her.
Some times he would call her two or three times a day - and she knew if he needed help he would ask.
"We've hardly eaten, coffee is our staple," she said.
"This is destroying our family. We are so distraught over it."
The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their lost son.