The government of Manitoba province, Canada, reported "potential human remains" had been discovered in a landfill on Wednesday during a search for two missing First Nations women.
Experts on site identified the potential remains while searching the Prairie Green Landfill, outside of Winnipeg.
It has long been believed the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcades Myran, two women murdered by serial killer Jeremy Skibicki in 2022, are in the site.
Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the province's Chief Medial Examiner have been engaged and will initiate a found human remains investigation.
In an official statement, the provincial government said: "As facts are confirmed, relevant authorities will provide further information."
A RCMP spokesperson said on Wednesday officers from the Major Crimes Services will attend the scene and collect the remains for laboratory analysis and DNA confirmation, noting there are strict procedures in place at the search facility to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
The Manitoba government said the families of Ms Harris and Ms Myran have been notified.
Both women were of the Long Plain First Nation. Ms Harris was 39 and Ms Myran 26 at the time of their disappearance.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called the discovery of the potential human remains "a painful but significant moment in our collective fight for justice"
AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said: "We know this discovery will bring renewed pain, but it also reaffirms why we have fought so hard to ensure this search took place."
"The families deserve answers. They deserve to lay their loved ones to rest with the dignity and respect that has so often been denied to Indigenous women."
Wilson added despite the discovery, the work is not finished," she said.
"The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs will continue to stand with these families to ensure that this search is carried out with the utmost care and that every possible measure is taken to recover the remains of Morgan and Marcedes."
The families of the missing women - and former deputy police chief Sean Sparling - had long urged authorities to search the Prairie Green landfill.
Police and the former government of the province rejected calls to search the site, citing the risks posed by asbestos and toxic material - and the projected costs. A search of the site began in December last year.
Winnipeg Police acting Chief Art Stannard told The Canadian Press the service is aware of the discovery.
"Our thoughts go out to the MMIWG2S+ community and all families who are awaiting word on their missing loved ones," he said.
