Human remains found along Woonasquatucket River in Providence

A crew cutting back brush on Tuesday afternoon found human remains in the Woonasquatucket  River next to San Souci Drive in Providence.

"They have been there for a while,” said Major David Lapatin.

Police are not specifying the condition of the remains or the person’s gender. At this point Lapatin says they are investigating all possibilities including foul play.

"We have no idea who that is right now. We don’t want to alarm or worry anyone so we are just going take the remains to the medical examiners office,” said Lapatin

People flocked to the scene once police and fire arrived. Those we spoke with very upset to hear the news that a body was found.

"It was tough to see something like that you know our hearts and our prayers go towards the family,” a man who identified himself as Rick.

Among the on-lookers on scene Tuesday were members of Ana Martinez’s family. The-73-year-old disappeared Christmas Morning of 2015. She was last seen on surveillance video walking away from her home just about a half mile from this scene. In fact, it’s the same area where police searched for her last year.

Lapatin says there are many open missing persons cases within the city He would not specify any connection to Martinez.

Again, no identification has been made as of yet. An autopsy will be performed on the body Wednesday.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016