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Two Sisters Mysteriously Found Dead in Seychelles Died From Fluid in Their Lungs, Police Say

Two sisters who were found dead last week at the $2,000-a-night Maia Luxury Resort and Spa on the Seychelles island of Mahé died from acute pulmonary edema, or having excess fluid in their lungs, according to a police report obtained by Minnesota TV station KARE 11.

Annie Korkki, 37, and Robin Korkki, 42, were found unresponsive by resort staff in their hillside villa on September 22, just two days before they were scheduled to fly home, the Seychelles News Agency reported. 

According to the paper, the Minnesota natives were spotted drinking alcohol on September 21 and had to be helped to their room by employees at around 8:15 p.m. The next afternoon, Annie and Robin’s lifeless bodies were discovered in their beds.  

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The autopsies were conducted on Wednesday, September 27, by a forensic pathologist from the neighboring island of Mauritius, the Associated Press reported. Cerebral edema, or fluid in the brain, was also listed as contributing to Annie’s death. Per the Seychelles News Agency, specimen samples from both women will be analyzed for toxicology.

Annie Korkki Robin Korkki
Annie Korkki and Robin Korkki

Dr. Patrick Lank, an emergency medicine doctor in Chicago, told the AP that ERs commonly see acute pulmonary edema and cerebral edema in drug overdoses and viral infections. “Two people at the same time is odd,” said the assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. “It suggests more of a toxicologic or environmental cause, or a potential infection if they’re traveling together.”

Annie, who resided in Colorado, worked at JP Morgan Chase and was a member of the synchronized skating team in Denver. “She talked about it as a trip of a lifetime, and I think she and Robin felt like it was a wonderful way to celebrate their relationship, their love of travel and adventure,” Annie’s coach, Caitlyn Cattelino, told CBS Denver on September 28.

Robin was most recently living in Chicago and worked as a trader. “[Robin] 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,” her friend James Everhart told the Chicago Tribune on September 30. “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.”

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He continued: “She was probably the most loving, caring person that I’ve ever come across.” 

Their brother, Chris Korkki, described the sisters as frequent travelers. “They were kind and generous and compassionate,” he told the AP. [They] were wonderful people that had a positive impact on a huge number of people.”

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