Police say human remains were found off the Southern State Parkway Thursday in West Islip.

They say the remains were found on the eastbound side of the parkway in the wooded area near Exit 40 around 7:15 a.m.

An man traveling eastbound on the parkway got off the ramp to the Robert Moses Causeway southbound and pulled over when something in the woods caught his eye, according to police.

Police say the man believed it to be human remains and called 911.

New York State Police Capt. Christopher Casale says troopers and investigators responded to the scene and determined it to be human skeletal remains.

A source exclusively confirmed to News 12 that the remains were that of a man.

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Identification Unit were investigating throughout the day. Detectives were going in and out of the woods, a police drone was launched, the K9 unit was deployed, and evidence was pulled out of the wooded area in brown paper bags.

Those who live near the area say they were surprised to find out that remains were found because it is generally quiet in the neighborhood.

It is too early to tell the identity of the remains, if there is any criminality involved or how long the remains were there, police say.

The remains will be reviewed by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.