Northern Territory police say human remains have been found near the Stuart Highway in rural Darwin.
Key points:
- Police say the “lower leg of a dark-skinned human being” has been located next to the highway
- It is not known how long the limb had been there, although it is believed to have been in 24 hours
- The freeway is now closed between the lights of Howard Springs and Virginia Road
Detective Sergeant Major Paul Morrissey said police received a report of the discovery on the road between Virginia Road and Bow Hunter Road around 10:30 a.m. this morning.
Police could not reveal exactly where the limb was.
Sergeant Major Morrissey said that today a forensic pathologist “has confirmed that the remains are the lower leg of a dark-skinned human being.”
He said detectives believed the leg had been there for the past 24 hours, but it was not known if the person to whom the leg belonged was still alive.
“Right now we have little more information than that,” Sergeant Major Morrissey said.
The Stuart Highway remains closed
The freeway is now closed between the lights of Howard Springs and Virginia Road.
Sergeant Major Morrissey said the accident investigators, crime scene investigators and crime division detectives were still investigating at the scene and that the road would remain closed “for a period of time.” .
Members of the territory’s response group were searching the area, said Sergeant Major Morrissey, as well as detectives and general function officers.
Sergeant Morrissey urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. (ABC News: Myles Houlbrook-Walk)
Police are urging motorists to avoid the area and, if possible, take an alternative route.
Southbound traffic has been diverted to Howard Springs Road or Lambrick Avenue.
Northbound traffic will be diverted to Virginia Road, or drivers may turn U and return south.
St John Ambulance NT crews attended the incident, but did not have to remain at the scene.
Sergeant Major Morrissey urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
“We are looking for witnesses to this event to contact the police,” he said.
“As well as anyone who may have some images from the dashboard camera on Stuart Highway vehicles in this area since yesterday afternoon.”
Posted 4 hours ago Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 3:11 AM, updated 1 hour ago, 1 hours ago, Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 6:21 AM