Excess Fluid Found In Lungs Of Sisters Who Died In Paradise

By Melissa Garcia

SEYCHELLES (CBS4) - Autopsies determined that a Denver competitive figure skater and her sister, who were found dead Sept. 22 at Seychelles resort, died from excess fluid in their lungs, according to the Associated Press.

An autopsy found that Annie Korkki, 37, also had excess fluid in her brain.

A resort employee found the bodies of Annie and her sister Robin Korkki, 42, inside their luxurious resort villa.

Authorities in the Seychelles, a chain of islands off the coast of EastAfrica, were awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Medical experts said that it was too soon to know what led up to the sisters' deadly pulmonary edema, but that some clues pointed to what may have happened.

CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said that there were dozens of possible causes that can lead to the condition, including drug or medical overdose, altitude sickness from mountain-climbing or scuba diving, or carbon monoxide poisoning, to name a few.

Annie's former teammates who skated with her at South Suburban Ice Arena in Littleton were at a loss.

"(Annie) had one of those personalities that just drew you in," said Caitlin Cattelino, Coach of the Denver Synchronicity Masters Team.

Cattelino said that Annie had taken a break from the team this season in order to go on a month-long vacation with her sister.

The getaway began with an African safari, and tragically ended when the sisters were found unresponsive lying on the same bed in their nearly $2,000 per night Seychelles villa.

Cattelino said that even though Annie had skated on the team for only one season, she had made her mark on the hearts of her teammates.

"Annie was an incredible woman, teammate, and friend," Cattelino said. "She spoke about this vacation with her sister Robin as a trip of a lifetime and a wonderful way for them to celebrate their love of travel and adventure."

Social media tells the story of a pair of sisters and best friends who traveled often, frequently posting photos of their fun-filled and extravagant trips abroad.

The skating team decided to dedicate its 2016-2017 season to Annie.

Cattelino released the following statement:

"Annie was an incredible woman, teammate, and friend. She spoke about this vacation with her sister, Robin, as a trip of a lifetime and a wonderful way for them to celebrate their love of travel and adventure.

Even though Annie only skated with the Denver Synchronicity Masters team the 2015-2016 season, it felt like she had been a part of our family for years. Annie loved to skate and was always positive and encouraging at practice. She was a determined competitor but even more so, she was a caring and compassionate friend. The Denver Synchronicity Masters team is dedicating their 2016-2017 competitive season to Annie and we will carry her memory in our hearts. We will miss her tremendously."

Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.