Missouri arson and homicide detectives are investigating the deaths of two South American scientists whose bodies were found following a fire broke out over the weekend in an apartment near the Kansas City biomedical research center where they worked.
Kansas City police identified the victims as Camila Behrensen, 24, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pablo Guzmán Palma, 25, from Santiago, Chile.
The Stowers Institute for Medical Research said in a tweet Tuesday that both Behrensen and Palma were predoctoral fellows at the center.
“Our deepest condolences to their families,” the tweet read. “During this difficult time, and most of all, out of respect for both families, we want to honor and remember the joy, optimism and exceptional work that these two individuals embodied and all that they have accomplished.”
Behrensen and Palma had what police described as “apparent trauma” following fire crews extinguished the flames on Saturday. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police gave few details but said there is a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. On Tuesday, they asked anyone with surveillance video for help.
