Severed leg washes up on Florida shore, police say they suspect murder

(CBS/WTSP) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Police in Florida say they suspect murder after a severed leg was found by tourists visiting St. Petersburg.

The tourists discovered the body part of a female near their dock, reports CBS affiliate WTSP. Investigators say the leg was cleanly shaven, with no tattoos and missing a foot.

"Sometimes you'll have situations where maybe somebody has found a crime scene but no body. Suddenly, we have now at least a body part in this case, so there are a number of different things," explains Mike Puetz who is with St. Petersburg police, reports WTSP. Although detectives can't be sure the woman was murdered, they say that's the most likely possibility.

Investigators await more information from the Medical Examiner's Office like the age and race of the woman, reports WTSP. Detectives are also cross-checking missing persons cases and alerting other authorities across the region.

"If you're thinking of all the possibilities, it certainly becomes very daunting," adds Puetz.

St. Petersburg police are now asking anyone with information about the woman's leg to call (727) 892-5000.