Police are terming the discovery of two bodies along a river trail off Hollenbeck Court in Oakdale on Saturday morning a “tragic case” of double suicide.

Oakdale Police Chief Scott Heller, in a press conference near the scene shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, said police received a call about 10 a.m. Saturday from a man, believed to be fishing in the area, about finding a gunshot victim. Authorities responding to the scene to investigate said there were two victims, both female, ages 15 and 17.

“Both victims appear to have died from small caliber gunshot wounds,” said Heller.

Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies, Stanislaus County District Attorney’s personnel and Oakdale Police were on scene, along with an initial response that also included Modesto Fire and EMS personnel.

“Both (females) were pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Heller, adding that authorities were not releasing the identities as of late Saturday due to the ongoing investigation and the fact that the victims were juveniles. Both were believed to have attended Oakdale High School, he said.

Heller indicated that authorities felt the bodies had been there “less than 24 hours” and the assessment of evidence at the scene indicated it was a double suicide.

“The case remains under investigation,” added the police chief. “Tragic.”