Police have released the identity of a man whose remains were found in the Maribyrnong River.

Brendan David Bernard, 32, was last seen in Melbourne's CBD on Tuesday afternoon, January 27. His remains were found in the river in Melbourne's north-west a little more than a week later on Thursday, February 5.

Brendan Bernard, whose body was found, dismembered, floating in the Maribyrnong River.

The North Melbourne man was known to police, but homicide squad investigators have been unable to establish a motive for his death or the gruesome dismemberment.

Investigators released his identity in the hope it would help establish Mr Bernard's movements in the lead-up to his death.