Sisters of Accused Boston Marathon Bombers 'Absolutely Devastated'

Attorneys for the sisters of the suspected Boston Marathon bombers released a statement Tuesday saying their clients are "absolutely devastated" and are awaiting a thorough investigation. 

"Our heart goes out to the victims of last week’s bombing. It saddens us to see so many innocent people hurt after such a callous act. As a family, we are absolutely devastated by the sense of loss and sorrow this has caused. We don’t have any answers but we look forward to a thorough investigation and hope to learn more," according to the statement, issued on behalf of Ailina and Bella Tsarnaev, who have lived in Fairview and West New York. 

"We ask the media to respect our privacy during this difficult time," attorneys Joseph Ginarte and William Buckman said in a statement.

Reporters have swarmed a West New York home where the sisters are staying since brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were accused in the terror attacks last week. Federal agents visited the home last week, and local police have maintained a constant guard outside. 

FBI agents last week also visited the apartment in Fairview where Ailina and Bella Tsarnaev lived months ago, Police Chief Frank DelVecchio told Patch.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, of Cambridge, MA was charged Monday with using a weapon of mass destruction against persons and property in connection with the marathon bombings, according to officials with the U.S. Justice Department. He is recovering in a Boston hospital after a standoff with police. 

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was pronounced dead after an exchange of gunfire with police in Watertown, MA.

The brothers are also suspected in connection with the slaying of an MIT police officer in nearby Cambridge.