By Kathryn Reed

An autopsy Feb. 29 on twin sisters who had lived in South Lake Tahoe since the 1970s revealed nothing suspicious about their deaths. However, exact cause of death is still pending.

The names of the two 73-year-olds will be released when identification is conclusive.

El Dorado County sheriff’s volunteers did a welfare check on the April Drive residence Feb. 25. When no one answered deputies made entry the following day and found the two deceased women.

Coroner Matt Harwood said one of the sisters had been dead four to six weeks, with the death of the other woman more recent. He told Lake Tahoe News foul play, murder-suicide and carbon monoxide poisoning have been ruled out. He said at this time it appears the cause of death for both is natural.

“We’ve spoken to a handful of neighbors and we are starting to piece these peoples lives together,” Harwood said.