The Toronto police are trying to identify several dismembered body parts that were discovered on a downtown beach last year.

At a press conference on Tuesday, investigators said two human thighs were found on October 9 on Cherry Beach in the Port Lands area of the city. Weeks later, on October 30, a human torso was discovered in the water during a patrol conducted by the Toronto Police Marine Unit.

The police said the body parts are believed to belong to the same person and appear to have been deliberately dismembered.

The torso, which was found partially wrapped in a black plastic garbage bag, was wearing a small shirt and a necklace when it was discovered.

Sergeant Tiffany Castle told reporters on Tuesday, "Because we only have a torso and thighs that do not contain any distinctive marks, scars, or tattoos, it has made it difficult for us to identify this person.”

"At this stage, we do not know how this person died. That is why it is not being treated as a homicide, although we are treating it with the highest level of suspicion.”

After the forensic report, investigators believe the person was a male, aged between 21 and 28 years old, with light brown to tan skin, medium to slim build, and black body hair.

The police said he died 24 to 48 hours before his thighs were discovered.

Without knowing the cause of death, Castle said the police are currently investigating the discovery as a desecration of a human body.

Speaking about the unidentified human remains, Castle said, "There will definitely be remains somewhere," but she was unable to specify whether investigators believe they are in the water or elsewhere.

Kathleen Serimetkowski said police are also in contact with U.S. law enforcement officials to investigate whether parts of the body were disposed of south of the border.

"This person is a family member, a friend, a coworker, an acquaintance. Someone knows who this person is," she said. "Someone knows what happened."

The police have created a dedicated email address for members of the public to contact with information related to the investigation, which can be found here.