The man whose body was pulled out of Whanganui River on Tuesday was 24-year-old Jayden Tilby, police have confirmed.
Post-mortem results suggest Mr Tilby drowned, but his death is being treated as unexplained.
"Mr Tilby was last seen at about 9am on Saturday, January 24, in Wilson St on his bicycle, and his movements after that time remain unclear," acting Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Taylor said yesterday.
He was reported missing on Sunday, while a large canoe was found floating in the Whanganui River on Saturday afternoon in the vicinity of the City Bridge/Putiki area.
A member of the public saw Mr Tilby's body in the river about 6.30am on Tuesday, just downstream from Aramoho, and contacted emergency services.
The body was recovered by police in a section of the river near Autoparts 2000 on Somme Parade.
Mr Taylor said there was a "definite possibility" that Mr Tilby's body had been in the river since Saturday.
"We want to speak to anyone who saw him after 9am on Saturday or noticed the canoe floating in the river."
Mr Tilby's bike is described as a silver adult bicycle. Loved ones had not noticed his mood to be unusual when they last saw him, Mr Taylor said.
"It was just an everyday day for him."
A rahui, or ban, was placed on the lower section of the Whanganui River below Mosquito Point, and was lifted yesterday at 3pm. An Aramoho resident said Wanganui District Council iwi liaison officer John Maihi, a police officer and another man, said a blessing when they went down to the river to lift the rahui.
A Facebook page called RIP Jay Tilby was set up yesterday.
"Missing u kuuhz ... the world misses out on another really awesome guy ... so sad to see you flying high with the angels," one person posted.
Mr Tilby was originally from West Auckland and went to Mt Roskill Grammar.
Anyone with information about Mr Tilby's death is asked to contact Detective Constable Simon Beswarick at the Whanganui Police station on (06) 213 4198, or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.