A man whose body parts were found in a Melbourne river has been identified but the motive behind his gruesome demise remains unclear.
Remains of Brendan David Bernard were found scattered throughout the Maribyrnong River early in February.
The 32-year-old, whose identity was made public for the first time on Tuesday, was known to police.
"However, investigators have not been able to establish the motive for his death and/or the gruesome dismemberment," Acting Sergeant Julie-Anne Newman said in a statement.
Mr Bernard's last known movements were in the Melbourne CBD, about 10km away from the river, on the afternoon of January 27.
A runner spotted a severed forearm, marked with a distinctive red devil tattoo, floating near a restaurant on February 5.
Subsequent searches unearthed a second limb and a bag of flesh upstream, while a member of the public found another limb two days later.
A second bag of flesh was discovered by a woman rowing.
Mr Bernard was initially identified after police released an image of his tattoo, and a family member came forward.
Detectives on Tuesday released a photo of the North Melbourne man, appealing for anyone who could help clarify his movements after January 27 to come forward.
Police have previously said they believed Mr Bernard's remains were in the river for about a week.
