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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Human remains found in an industrial area of Yellowknife have been sent to Edmonton in hopes they may be identified.

RCMP Const. Kathy Law said the area, which has not been identified by police, was extensively searched over the weekend.

"Ground search as well as an air search was conducted over the weekend," she said, adding nothing else significant to the investigation was discovered.

"There will be further searches."

The remains, discovered early Friday morning after police received a tip, were sent to the medical examiner in Edmonton "to hopefully find out more about the identity," said Law.

She did not comment on what state the remains are in or whether they are badly decomposed or not. Asked if there is a possibility of foul play, Law said "We're not ruling anything out."

"We don't know what kind of investigation we are dealing with yet," she added.

Garth Eggenberger, chief coroner of the NWT, confirmed his office is also investigating the case "in conjunction" with the RCMP.

Eggenberger said the remains are being sent to Edmonton, as is the usual protocol, because there aren't any pathologists in the NWT. He said his office will work with the results, as well as with police and the victim's family - if identified.

RCMP have contacted the family of 25-year-old Philip McNeil, a Yellowknife resident who went missing last October, to confirm they are looking into his case.