The remains were found on day two of a three-day operation organised to locate the 22-year-old father from Moree, after he was last seen entering the river on July 10 following an alleged attempt by police to speak with him.

Aboriginal Legal Service, who have been assisting the Copeland family in the aftermath of his disappearance, told the Times on Friday that they were continuing to work with the family and are "awaiting instructions on how to proceed".

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It's expected the family will make an official statement next week.

The events leading up to and following the disappearance of Mr Copeland are currently the subject of an independent police investigation, following the event being classified as a critical incident on July 12.

The investigators from Oxley Police District are conducting the inquiries, with New England Region Commander Superintendent Steve Laksa saying he had not seen the footage nor the police reports from that night.

"In terms of independence, transparency, thoroughness, the investigation was taken away from the New England Police District to make sure we can focus on this search for Gordon Copeland and that there was no confusion in relation to what occurred on the night and resulting investigation," he explained.

"A brief of evidence has been provided to the Coroner in relation to this matter, and to be honest I haven't viewed the footage myself, I haven't viewed the statements myself, I haven't interviewed the police involved on the night myself.

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"That is all for an independent investigation by Oxley Police District and that will all be reviewed by the Coroner and the Coroner will make a determination."

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