For three weeks the unexplained disappearance of Eliza and Henrietta Huszti captured the attention of Aberdeen.
The 32-year-old Hungarian sisters had been living in the Granite City for six years before they were reported missing on January 8.
Police have now sadly confirmed that following the recovery of two bodies from the River Dee they have now been formally identified as those of the sisters.
Our thoughts are with the Huszti family at this difficult time.
Ending their tenancy abruptly
Just a few days before Eliza and Henrietta went missing on January 7, they signalled to their landlord they were planning to end their tenancy at their home in the city centre.
Night of their disappearance
At 2.12am on Tuesday, January 7, the two sisters were spotted on Market Street at Victoria Bridge, which crosses the River Dee. This was the last time they were seen.
Concerns raised by landlord
On Tuesday, just hours after their last movements, the landlord visited their home, after which she raised the alarm to police.
Police begin making inquiries
Police officers confirmed on Tuesday once they could not establish the sister’s whereabouts, they were being treated as missing.
CCTV footage of sisters
Officers uncovered CCTV footage showing Eliza and Henrietta on Market Street at Victoria Bridge, their last known location.
A public appeal is released
On Thursday, January 9, a public appeal is sent out by police on social media asking for help to find Eliza and Henrietta.
Police knew the sisters travelled along the footpath on the southern bank of the River Dee heading towards Aberdeen Boat Club.
CI Darren Bruce confirmed local officers, led by specialist search advisers, were being asked to scout the area along the southern bank including industrial units.
Divers spotted scouring the river
On Friday, January 10, specialist divers were searching on the River Dee between the Aberdeen Boat Club and Victoria Bridge.
Brother confirms sisters seemed ‘fine’
Eliza and Henrietta’s brother Jozsef, explained their mother spoke to them on Saturday.
He told the BBC on Friday, that they had a 40-minute conversation and that nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Police expand the search area along the River Dee
On Saturday, January 11, the search area is expanded along the river encompassing the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour upriver to Duthie Park.
Officers confirmed they were liaising with police in Hungary.
Huszti family release statement
On Monday, January 13, the Huszti family released a statement via police.
It read: “This has been a very worrying and upsetting time for our family.
“We are really worried about Eliza and Henrietta and all we want is for them to be found.
“If you think you might have any information which could help the police with finding Eliza and Henrietta then please pass this on as quickly as you can.
“We appreciate all the support our family has been given over the past few days and we would like our privacy to be respected at this time.”
Press conference at Victoria Bridge
On Tuesday, January 14, Superintendent David Howieson gave an update on the ongoing search for Eliza and Henrietta Huszti.
He confirmed their landlord raised the alarm and that the sisters planned to end their tenancy.
Police are focusing on the theory the sisters entered the River Dee.
Family ‘unaware’ sisters planned to end their tenancy
On Wednesday, January 16, the family told the BBC they were unaware the sisters planned to end their tenancy.
Experts including oceanographers were brought in to assist search efforts with the focus remaining on the river.
Search for missing sisters enters 10th day
Police are still carrying out searches along the River Dee – 10 days after Eliza and Henrietta Huszti went missing.
Patrol boats have been seen investigating near the harbour.
Authentic Romanian Shop on George Street revealed to The P&J that the sisters were regular customers.
Hungarian food shop boss and owner of the Goulash restaurant issued a message of hope in the search for the siblings.
New CCTV image released
On January 17 police released a new CCTV image of the sisters captured on the Victoria Bridge a day before their disappearance.
Information also emerged that Henrietta Huszti messaged her landlord saying the pair would not be returning to their home at the same time as they were last seen on January 7.
Hungarian journalist makes 1,700-mile trip in search for answers
Hungarian reporter Krisztina Vermes made the 1,700-mile journey from Budapest to Aberdeen to help understand what happened to the Huszti sisters.
A reporter for more than 20 years, she currently works for the country’s television channel TV2.
Speaking with The Press and Journal on January 21, she revealed coverage of the sister’s disappearance began in Hungary a week after they went missing.
She also said there is still hope in Hungary and that she told their brother, Josef, to keep hoping for their safe return.
Police stop searching River Dee nearly three weeks after disappearance
Officers confirmed on January 27 that police searches on the River Dee have been stood down.
They will instead focus on coastal areas in the north and south of the city and “any further information received by police will be acted upon”.
Police maintain there is no reason to suspect any suspicious circumstances or criminality.
Body recovered from River Dee believed to be Henrietta Huszti
A body has been recovered from the River Dee, near Queen Elizabeth Bridge, and is believed to be one of the missing Huszti sisters.
Whilst the woman has yet to be formally identified, officers say they have informed the family of Henrietta Huszti.
Police say there is “nothing to suggest any suspicious circumstances or criminality” as police divers and specialist officers continue to search for Eliza.
Second body discovered
On Saturday, February 1, police confirmed a second body was found in the River Dee on Friday January 31 at 9,05pm.
Officers found the body in an area of the river near the Victoria Bridge around 9.05pm and it was subsequently recovered.
Bodies formally identified
The bodies recovered from the River Dee on January 31 were formally identified and confirmed to be Eliza and Henrietta on February 11.
Supt Howieson said: “The two bodies recovered from the River Dee on Friday, January 31, have now been formally identified as Henrietta and Eliza Huszti.
“Inquiries remain ongoing to establish the exact cause of death however there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.”
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