The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed yesterday the body of a woman found in the Philippines last month was that of missing Canberra mother Zenaida ''Ada'' Banham.
A spokeswoman said the body had been identified by the Philippines National Police as Ms Banham, an Australian-Philippines dual national, who was an ACT resident.
Ms Banham, 54, was originally reported missing in the Philippines on November 4 last year. Her body was discovered by police on March 8 in the Philippines province of Laguna, but had not been formally identified at that time.
''The Australian embassy in Manila is in communication with the PNP on their investigation into Ms Banham's disappearance and death,'' the spokeswoman said.
''The Australian embassy in Manila and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra are in close communication and providing consular assistance to Ms Banham's next of kin.''
Ms Banham's 18-year-old son, George, believed his mother had been kidnapped last year in the Philippines because of the money she was carrying and claimed Australian and Philippines authorities were not doing anything to look for her.
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