A distinctive tattoo has led to the unofficial identification of a man whose body was found dismembered and dumped in a Melbourne river.
DNA tests will be used to confirm the identity of the victim, who police say may be a man in his late 30s who lived on the fringe of the Melbourne CBD.
Divers are still searching the Maribyrnong River after more body parts were found on Sunday morning, following the initial discovery of a forearm on Thursday.
Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said a close relative of the suspected victim came forward after police released images of a devil tattoo found on the forearm.
"It's a tragic way for the family to find out but it has progressed our investigation," Det Insp Hughes said.
Police won't release the name of the victim until he is formally identified through DNA testing, which is expected to take several days.
"We will release it as soon as we are able because clearly again we want to know his associates and how they may be able to help us," Det Insp Hughes said.
It's believed the man was not known to police.
He had not been in contact with his family since Christmas but police say that was not unusual and he was not listed as a missing person.
Det Insp Hughes said the tidal nature of the river made the search for body parts difficult.
He said police were still expecting to find more body parts and any member of the public who come across them should contact officers.
"We've done the best we can on the ground and we'll continue to do that," he said.
"Certainly if someone sees something we'll have a team respond."
The first body parts were discovered by a runner, while a rower discovered more on Sunday.
Det Insp Hughes confirmed some of the body parts had been found in plastic but said appeared they had not been weighed down.
Investigations into the man's associates will begin once he has been formally identified.
Share
