UPDATE:

The human remains found in Fort Erie on Nov. 15 have been identified as Barbara Cowsill of Fort Erie, police say.

Cowsill had been the subject of an extensive missing person investigation since she went missing on Feb. 29, 2016. She was 66-years-old when she went missing.

Police said foul play is not suspected in relation to her death.

To help complete the investigation, police enlisted the help from a number of groups, including the University of Toronto Anthropology Department (student volunteers), Search and Rescue Niagara, OPP cadaver K9, Fort Erie Fire Services, Niagara Regional Coroner's Office, NRPS auxiliary officers, forensic services unit, emergency task unit and marine unit.

ORIGINAL: 

Niagara Regional Police said a member of the public discovered “what they believed to be” human remains on Wednesday near the Friendship Trail in Fort Erie, in the area of Gotham Rd. and Cherry Hill Blvd.

Police sought the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, who confirmed the remains are in fact human.

The investigation is ongoing as police try to determine the identity and cause of death.

Police said officers will be in the area of the discovery today conducting evidentiary ground searches.