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Deaths of Saudi sisters found bound together in New York river ruled suicide | Deaths of Saudi sisters found bound together in New York river ruled suicide |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The tragic and mysterious death of two Saudi Arabian sisters whose bodies were found, taped together, along New York City’s waterfront last October appears to have been a double suicide. | The tragic and mysterious death of two Saudi Arabian sisters whose bodies were found, taped together, along New York City’s waterfront last October appears to have been a double suicide. |
Rotana and Tala Farea both drowned and the cause of death was suicide, New York medical examiner Barbara Sampson said in a brief report on Tuesday evening. | Rotana and Tala Farea both drowned and the cause of death was suicide, New York medical examiner Barbara Sampson said in a brief report on Tuesday evening. |
Rotana, 23, and Tala, 16, were found dead in the city around a year after they had ceased living with family members in Fairfax, Virginia. It later emerged there were reports they were victims of alleged abuse, although details have not emerged. They had been seeking asylum in the United States. | Rotana, 23, and Tala, 16, were found dead in the city around a year after they had ceased living with family members in Fairfax, Virginia. It later emerged there were reports they were victims of alleged abuse, although details have not emerged. They had been seeking asylum in the United States. |
“Today, my office determined that the death of the Farea sisters was the result of suicide, in which the young women bound themselves together before descending into the Hudson River,” Sampson said in a short but poignant note released on Tuesday. | “Today, my office determined that the death of the Farea sisters was the result of suicide, in which the young women bound themselves together before descending into the Hudson River,” Sampson said in a short but poignant note released on Tuesday. |
The river runs down the west side of Manhattan. | The river runs down the west side of Manhattan. |
Law enforcement sources in New York indicated last year that the sisters “would rather do harm to themselves” than return to their home country. | Law enforcement sources in New York indicated last year that the sisters “would rather do harm to themselves” than return to their home country. |
The sisters were discovered dead on 24 October 2018, lying on rocks along the river. | The sisters were discovered dead on 24 October 2018, lying on rocks along the river. |
Saudi sisters 'reluctant to return home' before bodies found in New York river | Saudi sisters 'reluctant to return home' before bodies found in New York river |
New York police department’s chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, had said at the time that there were no signs of trauma on their bodies. | New York police department’s chief of detectives, Dermot Shea, had said at the time that there were no signs of trauma on their bodies. |
“It is entirely credible that the girls entered the water alive,” Shea also said, later saying that the tape was “not binding them tight together – more like keeping them together.” | “It is entirely credible that the girls entered the water alive,” Shea also said, later saying that the tape was “not binding them tight together – more like keeping them together.” |
Shea had provided some details about the last year of the Farea sisters’ lives. | Shea had provided some details about the last year of the Farea sisters’ lives. |
After leaving family in Fairfax, Virginia, they wound up in a “shelter-like facility due to some abuse allegations that came up”, Shea said. They left Saudi Arabia several years ago. | After leaving family in Fairfax, Virginia, they wound up in a “shelter-like facility due to some abuse allegations that came up”, Shea said. They left Saudi Arabia several years ago. |
The sisters were reported missing from the “facility” last August and made their way to New York. | The sisters were reported missing from the “facility” last August and made their way to New York. |
Financial records obtained by police indicate that they stayed at “a number of high-end hotels”, routinely ordering meals. | Financial records obtained by police indicate that they stayed at “a number of high-end hotels”, routinely ordering meals. |
“The money started to run out,” Shea said. | “The money started to run out,” Shea said. |
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or emailjo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org | |
In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or emailjo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org | |
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