Devil tattoo clue in human arm found floating in Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds

Police search the Maribyrnong River. Photo: Beau Donelly

A devil tattoo on one of the limbs found floating in the Maribyrnong River could unlock the investigation for homicide detectives.

The distinctive tattoo is imprinted on the inner side of the forearm, which was found floating in the river near The Boathouse on The Boulevard at Moonee Ponds, about 1.30pm on Thursday.

Detectives have confirmed the forearm belonged to a man and have released an image of the orange and green coloured tattoo in the hope a member of the public will recognise it and come forward.

An image of the devil tattoo found imprinted on the arm found floating in the Maribyrnong River. Photo: Victoria Police

A woman walking along the river made the gruesome discovery and raised the alarm.

Police began searching the river for other body parts on Thursday afternoon and found a second limb about two kilometres downriver, near the Afton Street footbridge, about 4.45pm.

A short time later, a black plastic bag containing a “small amount” of human flesh was discovered north of the bridge.

It is not yet known what the second body part is, or for how long the remains were in the water.

Investigators believe the remains were dumped in the river and are scouring missing person records, but have so far not found a match.

“Detectives are working through all reported missing person records and other intelligence as their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the gruesome find continues,” Sergeant Julie-Anne Newman said.

The body parts were taken to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to be examined late on Thursday.

The results of the examination are yet to be completed, police said.

Witnesses watched as police removed objects from the water on Thursday.

Jordan Anastasakos, 16, said he and his friends regularly dive off the footbridge near where the body parts were found.

“When we got down here, we saw SES and police pulling stuff out of the river and putting it in body bags,” he said.

Police divers will continue to scour the river on Friday and are expected to focus their attention on the area near the Afton Street footbridge.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Devil tattoo clue in human arm found floating in Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds