Suffolk police Tuesday were investigating the discovery of a "partially dismembered" female body in a weed-strewn lot in Bay Shore, and officials said they are looking into whether the case is related to the human remains found at Gilgo Beach in 2010 and 2011.

Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, commander of the Suffolk homicide squad, said two passersby called police after seeing the body as they walked to the Fire Island Ferries about 6:50 a.m.

Authorities said the body was found off a shortcut in a vacant lot leading from a municipal parking area used by ferry patrons near the corner of Maple Avenue and Gibson Street.

The discovery comes about 2 1/2 years after the latest remains were uncovered near Gilgo Beach in December 2011. Police have not connected the cases.

"There are no known links between the partially dismembered body found in Bay Shore today and the Gilgo Beach murders," Deputy Chief Kevin Fallon said through a spokesman Tuesday night. "However, in the interest of being thorough, Suffolk County Police Department canine units are conducting a search in the Gilgo Beach area. The investigation is continuing."

The mystery of who killed the 11 people whose remains were found at Gilgo Beach is unsolved.

A search for a missing woman led to the discovery beginning in December 2010 of 10 sets of remains off Ocean Parkway, including that of a toddler, a man dressed in women's clothing, and body parts belonging to remains found in Manorville in 2000 and 2003. Half of the remains found at Gilgo Beach have been identified. All five were young women working in the sex trade. An 11th set of remains was found in nearby Oak Beach.

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Beyrer provided no other information on the Bay Shore case, such as the condition of the body or the approximate age of the victim.

The victim's identity was unknown late Tuesday and Beyrer said authorities are looking into missing-persons reports.

Police were seen combing the area, including searching commercial waste containers.

Earlier Tuesday, police said an autopsy will be performed by the Suffolk medical examiner's office to determine the cause of death.

It was unclear if an autopsy had been performed Tuesday.

Islip Town spokeswoman Patricia Kaloski said the case was a police matter and the town would cooperate in any way needed.

The area has several businesses along Gibson Street, which is a block south of West Main Street and about a half-mile from the Fire Island ferry. Maple, a residential street, leads to the ferry dock.