Remains Of Missing Father Of 3 Found Inside Stomach Of Shark Caught By Fishermen

Local fishermen in southern Argentina found human remains inside a school shark that was about 4.9 feet in size. Officials believe the remains belong to a father of three who disappeared near the coast of the southern Chubut province earlier this month.

His family identified the remains with the help of a tattoo that was still visible.

The 32-year-old man, identified as Diego Barria, was riding his all-terrain vehicle on Feb. 18 before he went missing. Investigators found his damaged ATV on Feb. 20 on a beach near Rocas Coloradas. However, there was still no sign of Barria, according to Sky News.

The search for Barria took a turn after two local fishermen reported finding human remains inside a school shark while they were cleaning the marine creature.

Daniela Millatruz, the officer who led the search for Barria, said the fishermen had captured three school sharks close to the spot where Barría's ATV was found. The fishermen then informed the coastguard Sunday morning about finding the remains, she added.

"When they were cleaning them they found human remains in one of them," Millatruz said, as per AP News.

Barría's family was able to recognize the father of three "due to a tattoo that appeared in one of those remains," Millatruz added.

The remains recovered from the shark are expected to undergo further DNA testing before the victim's identity is officially confirmed, Cristian Ansaldo, who heads the police department in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, said, according to the outlet.

Ansaldo also noted that the remains were found inside a school shark that was around 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in size.

Investigators are still not completely sure what happened to Barría but think he may have had an accident before winding up in the shark's stomach.

"We presume Diego had an accident," Millatruz added. "And we're investigating if there was a vehicle involved."

Barría may have "had an accident and was dragged," Ansaldo, who also noted that a strong tidal surge had taken place the same weekend Barria was last seen riding his ATV near the coast, said further.

Virginia Brugger, identified as the victim's partner, reportedly posted updates about his search until the remains were found inside the creature.

"My heart went with you! I love you forever," Brugger wrote on Facebook Sunday, as reported by AP News.