Saudi Sisters Likely Entered Hudson Alive: Reports

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Investigators beleive that two sisters found dead and bound together by duct tape on the shores of the Hudson River likely entered the water alive, according to reports.

The NYPD is continuing its investigation into the deaths of 16-year-old Tala Farea and 22-year-old Rotana Farea, whose bodies were found Oct. 24 on the banks of the Hudson River near West 68th Street and Riverside Park, department officials told the Associated Press.

Investigators have yet to reveal an official cause of death, but NYPD officials beleive the sisters were alive when they enterd the Hudson river, the AP reported. The sisters may have been living in New York City since Aug. 24 and likely traveled to the city from their Virginia hometown together, police said.

Police released photos of the sisters for the first time this week in an effort to gather more information about their time in New York City.

The mother of Tala and Rotana Farea told investigators that Saudi diplomatic officials informed her that the sisters had applied for asylum, putting the family's legal residency in the United States in jeopardy, the New York Post first reported. The Saudi government is not beleived to be connected to the sisters' deaths, the Associated Press reported.

Photo by NYPD