28 February 2023 , 04:56
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Human remains found inside a shark's stomach have been identified as a man who went missing while riding his quad bike.
Diego Alejandro Barria vanished on February 18 while using his ATV cross country in the Chubut province of Argentina.
The 35-year-old was not seen again until his remains were found by fishermen eight days later as they gutted a five-foot dogfish shark they had caught.
The grizzly discovery was made near the coastal village of Caleta Cordoba.
Among the chewed remains was Diego's forearm, which was used to identify him by his distinctive green and red rose tattoo.
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Investigators are looking into how Diego ended up in the water (Newsflash)The remains were taken to a morgue where Diego's distraught wife Virginia Brugger identified him, The Sun reports.
According to police, the the shark's stomach consisted of "dermis, fat and human meat".
An eight-day search had taken place after Virginia had reported that her husband had failed to return to their Puerto Visser home.
Diego's battered quad bike and helmet were discovered two days after his disappearance in the coastal area of Rocas Coloradas.
Virginia wrote on social media: "Just a sign so I can find you please. Do not leave me.
"I pray to God that you show up soon. Here I am waiting for you. Don’t scare me like this."
Diego's wife Virginia identified him by a distinctive tattoo on his arm (Newsflash)Diego's remains are set to be examined by experts in a bid to determine his cause of death.
Dogfish sharks are thought to pose little threat to humans and would not have fatally attacked him, despite eating his remains.
Police spokesperson Daniela Milatruz said officers are working on a theory that Diego was involved in an accident, and investigating whether another vehicle was involved.
One possibility is that he wandered into the sea in a state of confusion following a crash, although cops have not ruled out that he was killed before being dumped in the sea.
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Civil Protection spokesperson Jose Mazzei said: "We currently have two hypotheses. One, that he was injured and the other, which has more weight to it, is that - due to the damage to the quad - he was knocked unconscious on the coast and the strong high tide dragged him away."
However, they added that all scenarios were being investigated, including the possibility of foul play.