Human Remains Found During Search for Missing Dad, 40, Who Vanished 8 Months Ago

Human remains were found near where Joshua Clifton-Demell's motorbike was discovered abandoned in January

Police are conducting forensic testing to confirm the identity and have informed Clifton-Demell's family of the discovery

The 40-year-old father was last seen on a motorbike in South Australia, on Jan. 23

A dad missing for over eight months is feared dead after human remains were found during the search for him in Australia.

On the morning of Friday, Sept. 4, police discovered human remains near Yorkeys Crossing in a remote region of South Australia amid a renewed effort to find Joshua Clifton-Demell, local outlets the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), 9 News and 7 News reported. The location is close to where Clifton-Demell's motorbike was found abandoned on a dirt track on Jan. 24.

"It is too early to confirm the identity of the human remains. They will be subject to forensic testing and I hope to have the results in the coming days," said Superintendent Josh Heinze, per ABC. "As soon as the identity of the human remains is confirmed, police will provide a further update."

Clifton-Demell, 40, was last seen leaving an address in the outback town of Port Augusta West on a motorbike at around 6 p.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 23, according to the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre .

At the time of his disappearance, South Australia Police described him in a Facebook post as 5 feet 7 inches tall "with a stocky build, mullet-style haircut and brown eyes. He has a large cross tattooed on the right side of his neck."

"Police hold grave concerns for his safety," they added.

According to ABC, police have been in contact with Clifton-Demell's family to inform them that human remains were found in the area of his disappearance. The matter is not currently being treated as suspicious.

The findings come as Major Crime and Missing Persons Investigation Section officers joined the Mounted Operations Unit, SES volunteers, local detectives and aerial support in extending the search for Clifton-Demell earlier this week, 7 News and 9 News reported.

His brother, Tim Clifton, was among the last people to see him before he vanished.

"Went out for a motorbike ride with one of our cousins, and he never returned," Clifton told 9 News previously. "They found the motorbike and never found him. It's been hell, really thinking about what happened to my brother."

Clifton-Demell's wife, Shelby Clifton-Demell, told the outlet that she knew something was wrong when they still hadn't received contact from him by their 6-year-old daughter Kiani's birthday on Feb. 2.

"It's been pure hell, emotional. I've never felt as empty as I feel now," said Shelby, per 9 News.

"It just breaks my heart when she says, 'What if daddy has forgotten about me, Mom?' I tell her, 'he'd never forget about you,'" she continued, referring to her daughter.

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The initial search for Clifton-Demell earlier this year was called off after two weeks.

"I'm glad the search has started up again, I really am and I'm glad they're taking certain things reported seriously," said Shelby. "He was my best friend. I need closure for myself and my daughter."

South Australia Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.