TRIBUTES have poured in for Jesse Southam-Marsh after a three-week search for the missing man came to a tragic end on Saturday.

The 23-year-old's body was recovered by authorities at the base of a steep cliff in dense bushland at Tomewin - where he had gone missing on August 17.

Lismore Police Rescue Squad and Tweed-Byron LAC joined forces to conduct a land search in an effort to locate the man, who was found dead under a 20m cliff drop.

Friends of the popular surfer, who lived out of his van around the Tweed Coast, distributed over 2000 flyers after his disappearance from a Tomewin residence and have paid tribute to his life.

Skylee Berghofer who met Mr Southam-Marsh while the budding artist was painting a mural at Kingy Fish, Chips and Burgers who first raised the alarm over his disappearance in the media, said she did so because he was a "beautiful soul”.

"Heaven has gained another angel too soon,” she said.

On social media Mandy McMahon said: "RIP, condolences to all who had the privilege of this young man's short life.”

Mr Southam-Marsh's father Dallas Southam-Marsh paid tribute to his son after being notified by the police on Sunday.

"I'm going to miss him terribly. I had a lot of plans to help him along with his career. He will always be my loving son and I will always pay tribute to him,” he told the Tweed Daily News.

"I'm so glad that they did find him and I was not left the rest of my days wondering where he was.”

Tweed-Byron LAC police Inspector Bobbie Cullen said it was not yet determined whether or not the death was suspicious.

Police will submit a brief of evidence to the Coroner including a post-mortem autopsy to be finalised in the next two weeks.

Insp Cullen said the Coroner would determine whether further police investigation or a formal Coronial inquest was required.

Mr Southam-Marsh senior said his family was desperate for answers.

"Jesse was always lively, always on the ball, he was always very much on top of his health,” Mr Southam-Marsh said.

"We don't know for sure if he used any drugs of any sort ... we're going to go right into it.

"Where he fell he was obviously not himself.”