Body parts belonging to Launceston man Jake Anderson-Brettner may have been dumped in wheelie bins across the city, police believe.

Key points: A torso was found in roadside bushland on Sunday

A torso was found in roadside bushland on Sunday Police believe body parts from the suspected murder victim were dumped in wheelie bins

Police believe body parts from the suspected murder victim were dumped in wheelie bins Two people are in police custody

What is believed to be the torso of the 24-year-old was found in bushland skirting the Tasman Highway between Launceston and Scottsdale, on Sunday night.

Jake Daniel Anderson-Brettner was last seen on Wednesday night. ( Supplied: Facebook )

It is understood parts of the limbs were missing.

Police were seen searching roadside wheelie bins in Riverside and surrounding suburbs as well as the Launceston tip on Monday.

A team of SES, police and forensic crime scene examiners also spent much of Monday afternoon searching the Remount Road tip in Launceston and resumed the operation on Tuesday.

It is understood that Mr Anderson-Brettner was shot and that police have recovered a firearm and an electric saw.

Commander Brett Smith declined to detail what police had found in their bushland searches.

"I don't want to go into it because it's terrible," he said.

Police said there were also areas of interest along the West Tamar Highway.

Mr Anderson-Brettner was last seen on Wednesday night.

A Riverside couple, aged 25 and 26, were taken into custody on Saturday in relation to the investigation into Mr Anderson-Brettner's disappearance, but have not yet been charged.

In a statement, police urged anyone with information or dashcam vision taken last Wednesday or Thursday in Riverside, West Tamar or Prospect to come forward.

"We acknowledge that providing information to police in relation to a murder investigation could be daunting, and reassure people that providing information to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous … you can do it online if you prefer not to physically speak to someone."

Police have been searching wheelie bins across Launceston looking for body parts. ( ABC News )

Community in shock over suspected murder

Police have reassured Launceston residents the suspected murder of the local man is an isolated incident.

"Our community can be reassured that the apparent circumstances and the finding of Mr Anderson-Brettner are not common, quite unusual and are certainly not reflective of what goes on in our community," Commander Smith said.

Friends of Mr Anderson-Brettner have taken to social media to express their shock at his death, five days after he was reported missing.

"He was a great bloke. Always time for a chat when I saw him and was definitely the life of the party. Rest easy mate," James Parker wrote on Facebook.

"This world will never be the same without that infectious laugh and cheeky grin," Michelle Smith wrote.

Georgia Robertson said the incident was "absolutely gut-wrenching and appalling," while Jasmyn Smith said Mr Anderson-Brettner "brought so much light to many lives".

"You were loved by so many and a lot of Launceston will be hurting today," Luke Sterpin wrote.

Police are yet to locate a white or silver Mazda 6 station wagon that could be connected with the case, but have seized three other vehicles, including Mr Anderson-Brettner's ute.