Tasmania Police has released an image of a man they believe may be the person whose remains were discovered in the state’s South on Sunday.
Two Hobart men bushwalking west of the Tahune Airwalk came across the human skeletal remains, tucked away in remote bushland.
Police say a “makeshift” shelter was discovered at the scene, but no items that would indicate the man was prepared for an overnight journey.
A backpack was also found, probably belonging to the deceased.
Inside were Swiss francs, Hong Kong dollars, a receipt suggesting the deceased had exchanged currency in Zurich, Switzerland on December 21, 2010 and an SD card containing photographs.
Police have released one of these photos, an image of a man they think might be the deceased.
Detective Acting Sergeant Michael Manning said “forensic details indicate[d]” that the photo could have been taken in New Zealand in 2010.
“At this stage the identity of the deceased person remains unknown and we urge anyone who can assist police to identify this man to contact us,” Detective Acting Sergeant Manning said.
Tasmania Police encouraged other policing jurisdictions in both Australia and New Zealand to share the image.
Police are also checking interstate and overseas missing persons lists in an effort to determine the deceased’s identity.
A report is being compiled for the coroner.
If you have any information you believe could assist the investigation, contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.