A devastating scene unfolded in a Manhattan apartment this week as police discovered the bodies of two young sisters in what authorities are describing as an unimaginable tragedy.
Emergency services responded to a residence in New York City's bustling Upper West Side neighbourhood after receiving a concerning call. What they discovered would leave even seasoned officers heartbroken.
A Mother Hospitalised
While the two girls, aged just 10 and 12 years old, were found deceased at the scene, their 43-year-old mother was discovered alive but in critical condition. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she remains under medical care.
The relationship between the mother's hospitalisation and the children's deaths remains unclear as investigators work to piece together the timeline of events.
Community in Mourning
The apartment building, located in one of Manhattan's typically vibrant neighbourhoods, has been transformed into a site of sorrow and disbelief. Neighbours expressed shock and devastation upon learning of the tragedy that unfolded behind closed doors.
"This is every parent's worst nightmare," one local resident told reporters. "To think something so terrible could happen so close to home is absolutely chilling."
Ongoing Investigation
New York Police Department officials have confirmed they are treating the incident as a crime scene while remaining open to all possibilities. Forensic teams have been meticulously examining the apartment for evidence that might explain this heartbreaking outcome.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the children or their mother as they continue notifying extended family members. The medical examiner's office will determine the official cause of death for both girls.
As the investigation continues, the community struggles to come to terms with the loss of two young lives in circumstances that remain shrouded in mystery.
