No Evidence Of Crime In Deaths Of Saudi Sisters, Police Say

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Investigators have found no evidence that a crime was committed in the deaths of two young Saudi Arabian sisters whose bodies were found on the banks of the Hudson River, NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermott Shea said Friday.

The NYPD is still investigating the deaths of 16-year-old Tala Farea and 22-year-old Rotana Farea, but an investigation indicates the sisters likely committed suicide together, Shea told reporters Friday.

"There has been no cause of death ruled in this case although the information we have at this point in time is that it is entirely credible that the girls entered the water alive. We have them praying the morning they were found, a short distance from the water," Shea said. "We also have sources that the detectives have developed from this investigation thus far—statements made that they would rather inflict harm on themselves (or) commit suicide than return to Saudi Arabia."

The sisters' bodies were found Oct. 24 on the banks of the Hudson River near West 68th Street and Riverside Park. The bodies had been bound together with duct tape, which Shea described Friday as "keeping them together" rather than "bound tightly."

Rotana and Tala Farea arrived in New York City on Sept. 1 after fleeing a "shelter-like facility" where they had stayed for nearly eight months after leaving their Virginia family home, Shea said Friday. The sisters were last seen by their family on Nov. 30, 2017 and were not returned to their home after alleging family abuse, Shea said.

While in New York, the sisters stayed at "high end" hotels, ordered meals and went shopping, Shea said. Police believe that the cards the sisters were using to fund their stay were running out of money, Shea said.

Both sisters appeared to be in good health while they stayed in the city, Shea said.

The mother of Tala and Rotana Farea told investigators that Saudi diplomatic officials informed her that the sisters applied for political asylum, the Associated Press reported. A Saudi official called the mother the day before the sisters were found dead to inform her that the family had been ordered to leave the United States due to the asylum request, according to the report.

If you you are in crisis and thinking of harming yourself please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

Photo by NYPD