Mystery surrounds death of Jordan’s Salti sisters
Authorities announced that a note directed to the parents of the sisters had been found near the bodies
Jordanians this week mourned the passing of two prominent sisters who were found dead on Friday, as authorities in the capital Amman continue an investigation into their mysterious deaths.
The bodies of Soraya Salti, 44, a mother of one, and Jumana, 37, were found together at the base of a building on Friday. An autopsy showed that the bodies had multiple fractures.
Authorities also announced that a note directed to the parents of the sisters had been found near the bodies. The source, quoted by the website of Jordanian news channel Roya TV, did not say which sisters had written the note, or give any information on its contents.
Soraya had once led Injaz Al Arab, an education group that promotes entrepreneurship across the Arab world. Jumana was a UAE-based director at professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
A janitor working nearby discovered their bodies after he heard a thud. According to an autopsy, the bodies had multiple fractures.
According to family acquaintances, the sisters had been at a sports club in an Amman suburb on the same day. Despite some reports of suicide, some believe they had been murdered.
“Their case is so far vague and mysterious,” Raed Omari, a Jordanian journalist and commentator told Al Arabiya News. Citing a contact who knew the family of the sisters, Omari added that the two had never showed symptoms of depression, casting doubt on reports of suicide.
A statement from the media center at the Jordanian General Security Forces was released today stating that all investigations so far do not. indicate any suspected crime in this case
The report emphasized that all investigation data including medical reports, witness testimonies, technical, and forensic crime reports all indicated no evidence of a suspected criminal in the incident.
They said all of the investigation reports would be sent to South Amman’s prosecutor in order to precede with the investigation.
The Jordan Times reported that members of the Salti family could not be reached for comment.
Marwan Muasher, a former deputy prime minister, wrote on Facebook that the two sisters were “an example of vitality, love of life and enthusiasm,” adding that he found it “difficult to believe that they have committed suicide.”
A post on Injaz al-Arab’s Facebook said that the organization “is devastated” by Salti’s death.
“She will be remembered as a dreamer that dared to create new opportunities for Arab youth across the region.”
“Words cannot convey the shock and grief of losing our great leader and inspiring role model,” wrote Twitter user Diana Filip, in one of the many tributes posted online.
The sisters were uncomfortable with the attention their professional success had brought them, according to Rania Atalla, a close friend of the pair who had also served as a former chief of staff for Queen Rania.
“Both sisters were understated. They didn’t want the limelight,” she told Jordanian business magazine Venture.
Words cannot convey the shock & grief of losing our great leader and inspiring role model #SorayaSalti @INJAZAlArab https://t.co/dCCnJSczfo
— Diana Filip (@DianaFilip1) November 8, 2015
Millions of Arab youth and @INJAZAlArab will miss you #SorayaSalti! Rest in peace
— Gilbert Doumit (@GilbertDoumit) November 8, 2015
The Middle East has lost one of its truly remarkable female leaders responsible for inspiring millions. https://t.co/Edoq9BIAMc
— Scott Forbes (@forbes19) November 7, 2015
-
Video: WEF panel in Jordan addresses violent extremism
Ayad Allawi, vice president of Iraq, joins discussion on the threat posed by ISIS ... Middle East -
Refugee crisis calls for aid rethink, Al Arabiya WEF panel hears
Development corporations need to do more to help countries like Jordan and Lebanon ... Economy -
Better infrastructure ‘would combat terrorism’, Jordan WEF hears
Building water pipelines and electricity networks spanning the region would reduce ... Economy -
WEF’s Global Agenda summit closes with calls for improving state of world
UAE leaders call for using technology to developments and understanding in the ... WEF - Dubai Summit on the Global Agenda -
Rainstorm drenches Mideast, chaos in Jordan, Egypt, Iraq
A violent and unusual atmosphere was witnessed by several countries in the region, ... Interviews -
EU gives 28 million euros to Syrian refugees in Jordan
More than four million Syrians have fled the civil war that has ravaged their ... Middle East -
No war, no peace: The Jordan-Israel peace deal is not a deal
October 26 marked the 21st anniversary of the Jordanian-Israeli peace deal. From a ... Middle East Opinion -
Jordan stormy weather dampens Michelle Obama’s now cancelled trip
In Jordan she had been expected to visit a school in Amman built with U.S. aid ... Variety -
Heavy rain in Jordan floods Amman International Stadium
The Jordanian capital Amman witnessed on Thursday heavy rains which flooded Amman ... Interviews