2 women found dead in Kerman apartment unit, authorities say

KERMAN, Calif. (KFSN) -- Homicide detectives are investigating after two women were found dead inside a Kerman apartment.

Kerman police were called to an apartment for a welfare check on Kearney Boulevard and South Del Norte Avenue Thursday morning.

When officers arrived, they did not get an answer when they knocked on the door.

Officers eventually made their way in and found the two women dead inside.

"Taking a look at the situation, [officers] determined these weren't natural deaths, they believed they were homicides," Tony Botti with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office says.

Fresno County Sheriff's Office homicide detectives were called shortly after and took over the case.

"They do have injuries that are consistent with homicide, we still need to try and positively identify them, notify their families," Botti says.

Investigators did not comment on the types of injuries the women suffered. They say the two were roommates for some time but did not confirm their exact relationship.

"Once we can perform some autopsies, learn a little more of the nature of their deaths, and of course officially identify them," Botti says.

Neighbors in the area tell Action News they heard two loud pops last night, but they thought they were part of the nightly fireworks that frequently go off.

Officials are now trying to ease fears for this small town as they work to find answers.

These are the first two homicides of the year for the city of Kerman.

"This is isolated to the one corner unit, so we don't have anything to show that it should hinder the other residents," Botti says.

Detectives are asking anyone who saw or heard anything unusual outside the apartment late Wednesday night to contact the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.|

Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.