COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) -- Columbus County deputies are investigating the murder of two women whose bodies were found inside a storage building.
Investigators say they discovered the bodies around 8:30 p.m. Monday behind a home in the 2300 block of Blacksmith Road in Bolton when following up on a missing persons report filed earlier in the day. They say family members told them they have not seen Jeanette Nancy Thut, 74, since October 24.
Nancy Merritt, Thut's daughter, says her mom is one of the two victims.
"We walked out there and you could smell where my mother decomposed," Merritt said.
Merritt added she saw her mother a couple of weeks ago and her mother visits people all the time. Merritt and neighbors described Thut as a nice and giving person.
"She was big hearted person. I mean she would buy homeless people shoes. She would give anything away. She was just really kind," Merritt said.
The identity of the other victim has not been released by deputies, but officials with the coroner's office confirmed the second victim is also female. Merritt also said that at least one other person was living with her mother at the home.
Deputies say foul play is suspected. They add that persons of interest are being sought for questioning.
Investigators are awaiting the results of an autopsy being conducted today in Raleigh. Officials with the coroner's office said they are using dental records to help identify the women because they are having trouble determining the age of the victims.
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