A tragic twist has been revealed behind the mystery of two sisters found dead in separate rooms in their apartment.
Australia's Seven News reports that a suicide pact is believed to be behind the death of the two Saudi sisters in their Sydney apartment, but there are still a number of unknowns.
Police now believe Asra Abdallah Alsehli, 24, and her sister Amaal planned their deaths after bottles of chemicals and other substances were discovered beside the siblings’ bodies, it has been revealed.
The pair were found dead in "unusual circumstances" in their separate bedrooms, on June 7 after police were called to conduct a welfare check.
There were no signs of injury or forced entry.
A bottle of bleach, non-perishable food items and clothing were reportedly among the items found in the bedrooms.
The Guardian now understands that New South Wales police are investigating whether one or both of the sisters may have feared being persecuted for their sexuality in their homeland.
The duo fled the Middle Eastern nation in 2017 for Australia, where they made claims for asylum.
Information now shows that the girls attended a female-only queer event in January where they told acquaintances gay women “live in fear” in Saudi Arabia.
Authorities have not yet commented on the women’s visa status or line of work but said police had been in touch with family in Saudi Arabia, who have instructed the Saudi consulate to act on their behalf.
There are lots of unknowns in the case and the police have been struggling for around a month to solve the case.
But more details are beginning to emerge and it has now been revealed the pair were behind in their rent payments by more than $5100 (£2900), which equates to more than 10 weeks of missed rent for their $480 (£275) unit.
The outstanding amount owed to the landlord was revealed in New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal records and the Daily Mail reported that the landlord took the matter to the courts.
A hearing date was set for May 13 but the sisters never appeared, which was held less than a month before their bodies were then found.
A woman who was at the queer event, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Guardian the sisters were “keeping to themselves” at the party and were reluctant to talk in detail about their home country.
She continued: “What’s terribly sad is they told me they were excited to be out at an event like this and that they were ready to start exploring more of Sydney. They should have been safe in Australia."
New South Wales Police said the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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