The BC Coroners Service is investigating after city workers in Nanaimo found skeletal remains Monday morning, but it remains unclear whether the discovery is suspicious.

Workers who were trimming grass in the 2200-block of Bowen Road found the body in a wooded area at around 9:30 a.m., according to RCMP.

“What we can say is they are skeletal, so it appears they have been there for some time. It’s too early to say anything more at this point,” said Const. Gary O’ Brien.

But Mounties aren’t saying whether the death is suspicious or if foul play is a factor.

“It’s far too early to say. We will be involved, once there’s no indication of criminality it’ll be turned over to the BC Coroner’s Service,” O’Brien said.

RCMP said there are currently eight active missing persons files in Nanaimo since 2002, and they’ll be looking for any connections to the remains found.

A neighbour who lives upstream from where the remains were found said the area is often visited by transients who set up camps.

“We live in such an area that’s wooded in our backyard, in the summertime when it gets nice and the bushes come in full, you will see the occasional person camping out back here,” said Karen Donner.

Other neighbours said the area is typically quiet and were surprised to learn of the gruesome discovery.

Police tape could still be seen cordoning off the area as forensic teams continued to scour the area Monday evening.