CHASKA, Minn. - Police say two bodies recovered from a retention pond in Chaska on Sunday night have been identified as the two 19-year-old women missing since Saturday.
Dive teams and emergency crews searched the pond off of Highway 41 and White Oak Drive on Sunday evening. The Chaska police chief said the search began when an officer noticed tire tracks leading into the pond.
The car, which was being pulled out late Sunday evening, was submerged in 7 to 9 feet of water.
On Monday, the medical examiner identified the two bodies as those of cousins Bushra Abdi, 19, and Zeynab (nicknamed "Hafsa") Abdalla, 19. The cause of death for both women was ruled accidental drowning.
On Monday, the sister of Bushra Abdi told KARE 11’s Karla Hult the family was planning the teenage cousins’ funerals while also still asking questions.
“I understand they’re investigating the case. But at the same time, we need answers,” said Habsa Abdi. “The fact that not just one but two – two loved ones – both left. It’s shattering."
Also on Monday, Jaylani Hussein with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) said the Somali-American community overall is joining the family in calling for clarity on what led up to the tragedy – and how police responded afterwards.
“Is there any traffic cameras of them approaching this area? And if anybody else knows anything or heard anything that night, that could come forward and help the law enforcement,” Hussein said.
A statement released by the Chaska Police Department on Monday reads, in part: "Additional information will be made available at the appropriate time going forward."
The two women left their respective workplaces - one in Shakopee and one in Chaska - on Saturday. Chaska police worked in conjunction with Shakopee police to investigate.
Hussein said one body was found inside and one outside the car.
Chaska police believe the incident was a tragic accident, but they will continue to investigate. The official cause of death has yet to be determined.