Richard Cowsill, Barry’s brother, confirmed the news in a brief post on the family’s official Web site, saying an update would follow.

An unconfirmed report posted on the Web site of syndicated TV program “The Insider” said the musician’s body was found December 27 at the St. Charles Wharf in New Orleans and identified through dental records.

Barry Cowsill, 51, had been missing since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. He left a phone message with his sister Susan several days after the storm, but was not heard from again.

He had moved to the city just weeks prior to Katrina.

Barry became a ’60s teen idol with The Cowsills, the musical family whose story inspired The Partridge Family.

He later fell on hard times, and was reportedly set to fly to Los Angeles for alcohol rehabilitation when Katrina hit.