Double suicide tragedy in Saudi sisters mystery

Two Saudi sisters whose severely decomposed bodies lay undiscovered in their western Sydney apartment for as long as six weeks may have died in a suicide pact.

Two Saudi sisters whose severely decomposed bodies lay undiscovered in their western Sydney apartment for as long as six weeks may have died in a suicide pact.

It’s speculated Asra Abdullah Alsehli, 24, and her sister Amaal, 23, planned their deaths in a “tragic suicide” after police reportedly found bottles of chemicals and other substances beside their bodies.

The remains of the reclusive sisters who appear to have no known social media presence, few friends and whose work history remains largely unknown, were discovered on June 7 during a welfare check after they stopped paying their rent.

There was no sign of a break in or forced entry at their Canterbury apartment – which has recently been put back on the market – and the sisters were found in separate bedrooms in the flat with no signs of injury, police said.

Police said they were treating the deaths as suspicious as the cause of death could not be es­tablished and the circumstances were “unusual”.

Interim toxicology results showed traces of the chemicals in the women’s bodies but further testing will need to be carried out by specialist pathology labs before an exact cause of death can be established, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Police earlier said obtaining toxicology results was ­“problem­atic” due to the ­advanced decomposition of their bodies.

The sisters’ family in Saudi Arabia has been contacted by police but reportedly has not made arrangements for the bodies to be transported back to their birth country.

The two-bedroom modern apartment has recently been put on the rental market at $520 a week, with the listing by The Property Investors Alliance including a disclaimer about the apartment’s tragic history.

“This property has found two deceased persons on 07/06/2022, crime scene has been established and it is still under police investigation,” the listing states.

“According to the police, this is not a random crime and will not be a potential risk for the community.”

The apartment block in Canterbury, Sydney where the bodies of two young female Saudi sisters were found dead. Picture: Gaye Gerard

NSW Police Detective Inspector Claudia Allcroft made a fresh appeal to the public for information last week, releasing images of the women in the hopes that those who knew them would come forward.

“Detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen or who may have information about the women’s movements in the days and weeks prior to their deaths, which we believe ­occurred in early May,” Ms Allcroft said.

“Extensive inquiries have been made by Strike Force Woolbird detectives; however, we have been unable to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Asra and Amaal’s death.