Story highlights
Ritu Sachdeva and Hillary Kate Kuizon, both 17, were found dead
The medical examiner's office has not released their causes of death
Police are investigating their deaths as suicides, but no suicide notes were found
Students at a North Texas high school are wondering why two of their classmates died – and whether the pair planned to kill themselves together.
Ritu Sachdeva and Hillary Kate Kuizon, both 17, were found dead over the weekend. Their deaths are being investigated as suicides, the Murphy Police Department said.
“Both deaths occurred within hours of each other under circumstances that have led investigators to presume they were both self-inflicted,” police said.
Ritu’s body was found in her home by relatives, police said. Several hours later, Hillary’s body was found in a wooded area near a high school football stadium.
Police have not found any suicide notes, spokesman Celso Martinez said.
He said the local medical examiner won’t release the causes of death until the results of toxicology tests come back.
“It is not known if the two incidents are related or if there is any reason to believe so,” the police department said in a statement. “Investigators are continuing to speak with relatives of the two victims to ascertain any relationship between the two deaths.”
About 20 grief counselors were at Plano East High School on Monday, Martinez said.
Those who knew the girls at school described them as smart, beautiful and nice, CNN affiliate KTVT reported.
“They were good students – always on time, always kept their grades up,” student Christian Lewis told the affiliate.
Murphy Police Chief Arthur Cotten offered his condolences to the relatives of Ritu and Hillary.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the two families,” he said. “We are treating these two cases with the care and compassion they deserve, and will continue to seek answers for the families.”