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The deaths of three Texas sisters who were thought to have drowned in a pond last year are now being investigated as homicides after autopsies concluded they were strangled and lacerated, CBS19 reports.
The young sisters — 5-year-old Temari Oliver, 8-year-old Amiyah Hughes, and 9-year-old Zi'Ariel Oliver — were reported missing on the night of July 29, 2022 by their cousin, Paris Propps, who was taking care of the siblings while their mother was at work, according to the Cass County District Attorney's Office. In the early morning hours of July 30, 2022, their bodies were discovered in a private pond near Atlanta, Texas.
“We have no idea what the girls were doing there,” Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe said at the time. “A pair of shoes was found at the edge of the pond, leading investigators to search the water."
Texas Parks and Wildlife Lieutenant Jason Jones noted that the children didn't have life jackets on. “I don’t know how strong of swimmers they were or if [they] were swimmers at all,” Jones said previously.
Now, nearly eight months after their disappearance and death, an autopsy determined that the girls suffered lacerations to their faces and were strangled, leading officials to investigate their case as a homicide. Investigators have collected witness statements, and DNA testing is ongoing, per the DA's office.
At the time of the incident, three of the girl's siblings were found unharmed inside their home.
Those who have information regarding the case should call Texas Ranger Josh Mason at (903) 255-5727.
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