The parents of murdered Epsom teenager Dominic Bernard were due to fly to Guyana on Thursday to bring his body home.

Andrew and Linda Bernard have faced an agonising four month wait for DNA testing to confirm that the remains found in a shallow grave was that of their missing 18-year-old son.

From January 11: Body found in search for missing Epsom teenager Dominic Bernard - Two arrested

With tests having confirmed the worst, the couple are due to travel to South America to formally receive the body and begin the process of repatriating Dominic.

From January 12: Seven arrested on suspicion of murder of missing Epsom teen Dominic Bernard after body is found

Speaking to the Guardian ahead of their journey, Mr Bernard said: “We would like to update the people of Epsom and personally thank them for their support and prayers during this difficult time.

“After nearly four months since the discovery of the body we have finally received the results of the DNA testing which confirmed the body is that of our beloved son Dominic.

“I am not sure whether to be happy or sad as we have been waiting so long, I don’t know what to feel to be honest.”

Dominic moved to Epsom from Enfield when he was just one year old.

He attended Downsend School in Leatherhead Road, Leatherhead, and then Ewell Castle School in Church Street, Ewell, where he regularly played rugby for the school's teams.

Surrey Comet:

He developed a passion for filmmaking and travelled to Timehri in Guyana on October 14 last year to pursue his dream.

Dominic disappeared shortly after arriving in the south American country.

He was supposed to return to England on November 5, but after he failed to return home, his family raised the alarm and an investigation was launched.

Surrey Comet:

Dominic’s badly decomposed body was discovered in a shallow grave on Friday, January 8 near to the area he was scheduled to stay in. A hammer - thought to be one of the murder weapons - was recovered.

His godbrother, Aaron Hing, 22, and 23-year-old Staymon George have been charged with the murder, and a man and two women also appeared before a judge accused of helping bury Dominic’s body and his camera equipment.

From January 18: Five charged in connection with murder of Epsom teenager Dominic Bernard

His father Andrew said the loss of Dominic had taken a terrible toll on his family, despite them seeking comfort in their religious faith.

“I came home from work on Friday and Madison, our youngest daughter, was in tears as she said she missed Dom,” he said.

Surrey Comet:

“I tried my best to comfort her but at the same time I felt so hopeless and wanted to cry with her. The bible says he will not give you more than you can handle but I’ll be honest and say I’m not sure how much more I can handle.

“I need time to grieve for my son but at the same time I feel if I open the door to grieving I may not be able to close it and I don’t know where it will lead me.

“My wife grieves daily for her son and as husband and father I struggle to know how to console her.

“With the support from friends, family and you we know we must press on for Dominic.”

Surrey Comet:

The family hopes to hold a short service for Dominic on Sunday May 1 while they are in Guyana, followed by a celebration of his life when they return to the UK.