Twins Andrew and Anthony Johnson, 63, were found dead March 29 in their Chattanooga, Tenn., home, their skeletal remains sitting in recliners where they may have died in 2011.
The deaths remain a mystery, and there were no obvious signs of foul play. Toxicology tests are underway to help determine a cause of death.
"While this incident is tragic and unfortunate, Andrew and Anthony lived a hermit lifestyle and did not communicate with family or anyone else,"
a police news release said, according to The Associated Press.
Relatives asked police to check on the twins in 2011, but everything outside the home appeared OK at the time, and officers didn’t force their way into the home.
Family members said at the time that they would not have been surprised if the brothers had moved without telling anyone, the AP said.
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A family member with a key to the house reportedly called police on March 29 this year. They entered the home and found the two brothers.
The Post Office had ceased delivery to the home, leaving a letter in the mailbox stating that the home appeared to be vacant, although the grass continued to be cut.
Neighbor Linda Maffett told The Associated Press that she occasionally saw the brothers working in their yard while wearing surgical masks. She only spoke to one of the men once to offer help when he had fallen down and she found him lying on the front porch. She hadn’t seen the men for at least a couple of years and felt like something was wrong.
"I really felt bad that it happened and I didn't have the courage to go barging over there and knock on the door when I had that gut feeling," Maffett said.
The brothers bought the house in 1984, according to the AP.
Editor's Note::
Prostate Cancer Is Almost Epidemic - Prevent It