Mysterious Deaths sisters Robin Korkki, 42 and Annie Korkki, 37

Before sisters Annie and Robin Korkki were found dead on the same hotel bed, they embarked on what their Minnesota family called a “dream” African vacation: beach trips through Kenya, Tanzania, and Zanzibar; a safari; and one final stay at a luxury island resort in the Seychelles.

chicago tribune-AP wrote:
Chicago woman, sister on African island died of fluid in lungs, brain: autopsy

Chicago woman and her younger sister who were found dead at a luxury resort on a tropical African island died of excess fluid in their lungs and brain, the Seychelles News Agency is reporting.

The bodies of Robin Korkki, 42, of Chicago, and her sister, Annie Korkki, 37, of Denver, were found in their resort villa last week in Seychelles, an archipelago nation off Africa's east coast in the Indian Ocean.

Their bodies were found Sept. 22 at the Maia Luxury Resort. The news began to spread among friends and family last weekend.

An autopsy performed on the sisters found that Robin Korkki died of "acute pulmonary edema," or excess fluid in the lungs, while Anne Marie Korkki died of "acute pulmonary and cerebral edema," according to the news agency.

A forensic pathologist from a neighboring island performed the autopsy, and specimen samples from both women will be analyzed for toxins, the agency reported.

Island officials gave no indications about what could have triggered the deaths of both women, described by friends as physically fit and active.

The mystery surrounding the sisters' deaths will last a bit longer, said one noted forensic pathologist who told the Tribune the vagueness of the cause of the death will make the toxicology results and the investigation by local police all the more important.

"When we see pulmonary edema, it's a non-specific finding you see in lots of different things," said Dr. Judy Melinek, an author and forensic medical expert who provides testimony for criminal and civil trials. "So if you have an elderly person, it could be from heart failure," she explained.

Poisons and drug use could also trigger a pulmonary edema, she said.

Their brother, Chris Korkki, of Lakeville, Minn., said Thursday the family had learned nothing through official channels about the deaths.

Robin Korkki's Facebook page displayed photos of the sisters' trip, including one of the bikini-clad sisters three days before they were discovered.

Korkki worked as a commodities trader in Chicago since the mid-2000s and lived in the Wicker Park neighborhood. A longtime neighbor said Thursday that she was still too devastated by the news to comment.

A friend, personal trainer James Everhart, said he was heartbroken after hearing of the deaths last weekend while out of town to attend a wedding. "I just broke down right there," he recalled Thursday in an interview with the Tribune.

Everhart said his professional relationship with Robin Korkki at a Lincoln Park gym quickly blossomed into a friendship, which eventually also led to a friendship with Annie. He said the elder sister's face "would light up when she talked about Annie."

The Korkki sisters — part of a large, tight-knit Minnesota family — were inseparable, Everhart said, whether they were traveling to exotic locales or just out for a day of shopping.

Robin Korkki, he added, was her happiest when she was traveling the globe.

"She was just so excited about all the trips she would take because she's somebody who just wanted to see the world. That was her thing," Everhart said. "She just really cared about life, itself. She put her life and soul into her work and family … and everything that she did and wanted to do."

Everhart recalled how his friendship with Robin Korkki, which included long phone conversations and at least one trip to a Bulls playoff game, reached a deeper level when his mother became ill and eventually died in 2012.

Korkki, he said, brought the same intensity she brought to her workouts, her career and her family to her friendship with him, insisting on being by his side and constantly helping.

"She was probably the most loving, caring person that I've ever come across," he said.

Chris Korkki told the Star Tribune that his mother and brother have traveled to Seychelles to press officials for answers. He said his mother also has been talking with the U.S. Embassy.

The Associated Press contributed.

heavy wrote:
The bodies of two sisters were found September 22 at a luxury resort in Seychelles, an archipelago nation off of Africa’s east coast in the Indian Ocean.

According to an autopsy, Anne, 37, and Robin, 42, died of excess fluid in their lungs and brain. The reason why they may have had the condition remains a mystery.

The two were vacationing together at a luxurious villa that went for $1700 plus per night.

heavy wrote:
1. They Were on a Trip of a Lifetime & Called it the ‘Best Trip Ever’
According to Seychelles Nation, the sisters planned on vacationing from September 15-22, but were apparently having such a wonderful time that they decided to extend the trip to September 24.

On September 20, Anne, who goes by “Annie.” posted a comment to Facebook that read, “Wish you were here…SERIOUSLY BEST TRIP EVER.”

Their brother, Chris Korkki, told the Star Tribune that his sisters were “healthy and adventurous,” and “definitely wanted to experience life to the fullest.” “Two things keep going through my mind: This isn’t happening, and we just want answers,” he told the publication.