Family of twin sisters who died in River Dee in Aberdeen 'couldn't afford to fly bodies home'

The brother of twin sisters who died in the River Dee says his family had to bring their remains home in a backpack, as they couldn’t afford to fly their bodies back to Hungary.

Henrietta and Eliza Huszti, 32, disappeared from Aberdeen in the early hours of January 7 last year, sparking a major search and rescue operation.

The women, part of a set of triplets originally from Hungary, were found in the River Dee on January 31 and February 1, close to where they were last seen alive.

Nearly one year on, their brother, József Huszti, said the tragedy still “hurts so much”, and recalled having to bring his sisters home in an urn in a backpack.

Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were reported missing together January last year. Police Scotland

Speaking to Hungary news outlet Bors, he said: “This is a very difficult time for us; every member of the family has paid tribute, lit a candle, and put out their photo.

“This is the first anniversary, and it hurts so much.

“The hardest time was last year, after I had to go out with my sister to take care of things, we had to go to the place where they were found. To their apartment, where their clothes and belongings were still there.

“We had to arrange the cremation because we didn’t have enough money to bring them home in coffins. It would have cost nearly 20 million forints (around £45,000).

Police searching River Dee for missing sisters STV News

“So we brought them home in urns, on our backs, and we still can’t process this.”

Henrietta and Eliza were laid to rest in June at their mother’s home in Monor, and were also commemorated in Scotland.

József said he and the rest of the family are still demanding answers from police regarding his sisters’ deaths, as they “don’t believe” the women took their own lives.

Their death certificates both recorded drowning as their cause of death.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries into the circumstances have concluded and there are no suspicious circumstances. A report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”