Canoeists had found the body of missing Indian millionaire Amarjit Chohan floating close to Bournemouth pier on April 22, a Scotland Yard spokesman said on Friday.

The police identified his body only on Thursday night, he said.

Chohan (46), owner of a fruit freight firm, CIBA, went missing with his family more than two months ago.

The cause of his death has not been established, but police think he may have been murdered.

"This is a most unusual case and our concerns are now with the four other members of Chohan family. We are deeply worried about their safety and as time passes those concerns grow. We are desperately trying to trace them and really need the public's help. We just hope we find them alive and well," the Scotland Yard spokesman said.

Chohan's wife Nancy (25), their two sons Ravinder (3 months) and Devinder (18 months), and Nancy's mother Charanjit Kaur (51) went missing along with him. They were last seen at their home in Hounslow, West London, on February 16.