The body of a man found in Schwatka Lake on Canada Day has been identified as that of 19-year-old Michael Groening.

He was identified through DNA testing on Monday, Yukon chief coroner Kirsten Macdonald said this morning.

An autopsy has been completed but the results are not yet public.

According to Whitehorse RCMP, Groening either jumped or fell from the cliffs at Miles Canyon into the Yukon River on the afternoon of June 15.

Despite witnesses’ attempts to save him, he disappeared under the water.

The search for his body continued for two weeks.

His mother, Dianne Groening, flew to Whitehorse from her home in Surrey, B.C., to help look for him and, once an unidentified male body was found, to hold a memorial.

Dianne told the Star this afternoon she’s thinking about having some of Michael’s ashes placed into a seed so she can plant a tree in Whitehorse in his honour.

She’s thinking about somewhere along the clay cliffs – she heard that’s where he was living in a tent.

“It’s hard for me to let go,” Dianne said, her voice breaking.

“I know he really liked Whitehorse. I don’t think it’s fair to keep him here (in B.C.).”