Gardaí say they are trying to establish that the body found near Wexford yesterday is that of 18-year-old Conal Owens.
The teenager from Naas, Co Kildare, was last seen on New Year's Eve at Curracloe Beach in Co Wexford.
More than 1,000 people took part in the search for him following his disappearance.
Yesterday evening, the body of a teenager was washed up at the North Slob nature reserve near Wexford town.
A post mortem examination was carried out last night and Mr Owens' family have travelled to Wexford.
Gardaí say they are awaiting results from dental records before they formally confirm it is the body of Mr Owens.
