Missing Argentinian Man Found Inside Shark's Belly: Family Identifies His Tattoo

A missing Argentinian man was found inside a dead shark's belly after disappearing for over a week, as part of a case of what initially to be a mysterious incident.

In February, the missing father of three was believed by Argentine authorities to have plunged into the sea after a vehicular accident near a beach, according to reports.

Shark experts also said that it is unlikely the shark killed the missing man.

Fishers caught the shark near an area where the missing Argentine named Diego Barria, 32, several days after his reported disappearance on February 18.

The fishers gutted the belly of the marine animal only to find a human arm belonging to Barria.

The identification of the victim was confirmed by his family through a tattoo on the wrist of his forearm.

Human Remains Found in Shark

Missing Argentinian Man Found Inside Shark's Belly

(Photo : Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images)

Initial reports regarding Barria's disappearance led to a speculation in the media that the shark may have killed him.

However, shark experts and police authorities suspected that the man was already dead before the shark devoured him, as cited by Live Science.

Spanish news site El Pais reported the quad that Barria was driving was discovered to be destroyed in the Patagonian province of Chubut, located in southern Argentina.

Eight days after his disappearance, two fishermen found his human remains, including the forearm, inside the belly of a small school shark, which they took to the police.

While it is clear the Argentinian's body ended up into the sea, the country's justice system has launched an investigation into the incident to understand what happened, the news site added.

Available evidence shows that Barria was last seen before midnight on February 18, while returning to home on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

While on his way home, he stopped over to greet some of this fishing friends and informed his wife that he will arrive late, according to reports.

Also Read: Shark Attack in the Florida Keys Leaves 10-Year-Old Boy to Lose a Part of His Leg

School Sharks

Based on the fishermen's testimony, as provided by El Pais, they caught three school sharks, which typically grows to around 5-feet long, in the waters off the coast of Caleta Olivia city.

It is one of these sharks where Barria was found.

The initial speculation that the shark was responsible to the death of the missing father was ruled out, since marine scientists have made it clear that shark attacks are rare, let alone by a school shark (Galeorhinus galeus).

School sharks are known for being hunted by fishermen due to their fins, livers, and meat, according to Live Science.

For this reason, G. galeus has been listed as "critically" endangered" under the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

According to the Florida Museum, the fast-swimming and relatively small school sharks are targeted due to fin trade despite warnings that their flesh contains mercury, making its population vulnerable in the wild.