Human torso found in east end dumpster likely that of woman: Toronto police

The coroner’s office has confirmed that the severed remains found behind a butcher shop in Toronto are human and Toronto police say they believe they are that of a woman.

Spokeswoman Cheryl Mahyr says an autopsy of the remains is underway and authorities hope it could shed some light on what might have happened to the victim.

A forensics team is investigating after the remains were found in a bag behind several east end businesses, one of them a butcher shop.

WATCH: Woman who lived above Toronto butcher shocked by discovery of possible human remains

0:35 Woman who lived above Toronto butcher shocked by discovery of possible human remains

Mahyr says the autopsy could also yield clues to the person’s identity, as well as information on what tool might have been used to dismember them.

Police said they were called at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday about the bag found in a back area shared by several businesses near Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street.

The remains, which police said were believed to be part of a human torso, were found in a garbage bag behind the store when an employee was taking out the trash on Tuesday morning.

Homicide Det. Sgt. Terry Brown said the death appears to be recent with no real signs of decomposition and police are asking the public to be on the lookout for suspicious packages that may contain other body parts.

Police said there could be a variety of explanations for what happened to the person involved.

With files from Will Campbell and The Canadian Press