No confirmation yet that human remains found at Lorn is missing man Pip Manley

Central Hunter Crime Manager Detective Inspector Peter Mahon said police would not have DNA test results from forensic pathologists at John Hunter Hospital until Friday at the earliest.

Inspector Mahon also said police could not pursue any suspects or leads until the coroner confirmed the cause of death of the person whose remains were found about five metres from the edge of Belmore Road, near Marcellin Park.

Police found the human remains about 10.15am on Wednesday during a large-scale search for Mr Manley.

The 21-year-old has been missing since November, last year.

Investigators recently gained access to social media accounts that prompted this week’s search of the Lorn area.

Mr Manley’s family was informed of the discovery on Wednesday morning.

Police have not ruled out foul play leading to the death of the man found near Belmore Road.

Central Hunter commander Superintendent Garry O’Dell said on Wednesday that police believed the remains could belong to Mr Manley. 

Superintendent O’Dell said investigators had been working hard on the case since November, but they made a breakthrough last week.

“As a result of that information and our search today, we’ve been able to find these skeletal remains,” he said. 

“We’ve had a great deal of assistance from our own command with our detectives, general duties and our TAG group. We’ve also had Polair, the rescue squad, police dogs and assistance from Ambulance NSW and others.” 

Mr Manley was last seen walking along Belmore Road, wearing a Sydney Roosters rugby league jersey, about 1am on November 22.

Police have confirmed that a football jumper, in Sydney Roosters colours, was found with the remains this week.

Anyone with information about the remains or Mr Manley’s disappearance is asked to contact Maitland police station on 4934 0200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.