Northern Territory Police say human remains have been found near the Stuart Highway in Darwin's rural area.
Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said police received a report of the discovery on the highway between Virginia Road and Bow Hunter Road at about 10:30am this morning.
Police were not able to disclose exactly where the limb was found.
Senior Sergeant Morrissey said a forensic pathologist today "confirmed the remains to be a lower leg of a dark-skinned human being".
He said detectives believed the leg had been left there within the past 24 hours, however it was not known if the person whom the leg belonged to was still alive.
"We have little more information than that at this time," Senior Sergeant Morrissey said.
Stuart Highway remains closed
The highway is now closed between the Howard Springs lights and Virginia Road.
Senior Sergeant Morrissey said major crash investigators, crime scene investigators and crime division detectives were still at the scene investigating and the highway would remain closed "for a period of time".
Members from the Territory Response Group were searching the area, Senior Sergeant Morrissey said, as well as detectives and general duties officers.
Police are urging motorists to avoid the area and take an alternative route if possible.
Southbound traffic has been diverted onto Howard Springs Road or Lambrick Avenue.
Northbound traffic will be diverted to Virginia Road, or motorists can U-turn and return south.
St John Ambulance NT crews attended the incident, however were not required to remain at the scene.
Senior Sergeant Morrissey urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
"As well as anyone that may have some dashcam footage on the vehicles for the Stuart Highway in that area from yesterday afternoon."
