Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after a woman's remains were found in a hockey bag floating on a Cape Breton river Friday night.

Two people who live on Hillside Road in Marion Bridge went outside to start a backyard barbeque in the evening. They spotted a bag floating in the Mira River, pulled it ashore, and called police when they saw the body.

"Investigators are trying to determine at this point who this lady is," said Staff Sgt. Mike Kennedy, head of major crime for Cape Breton Regional Police. "Because of what we've learned so far, we are treating this death as a homicide."

The people who found the body were "pretty shaken up," Kennedy said.

"They were having a hard time with this last night."

Police could not comment on the cause of death, nor the length of time the body was in they hockey bag in the water.

Investigators searched the area Friday night and returned Saturday to scour the water in boats. The age and condition of the body is not known.

'It's kind of nerve-wracking'

Marion Bridge is a quiet town 20 kilometres south of Sydney. Residents who spoke to CBC News said the community is shocked and baffled by the grim discovery.

"It's kind of nerve-wracking. You don't know. This is a nice, quiet, peaceful place. We come here on the weekends for peace and tranquility," said Tina Lamoine. "It's scary."

"The viciousness of it, it's terrible," said Tyler Irons.

An autopsy was being done Saturday afternoon in Halifax.