ANDERSON COUNTY—Remains of two bodies were found in barrels in Lake Hartwell this week.

Authorities say they found a deceased male and female in the lake within 24 hours of each other. Anderson County Sheriff’s deputies were made aware of the situation after a witness spotted something suspicious near Asbury Park in Anderson Wednesday.

“Wednesday afternoon at about 4 p.m., a passer-by on the bridge called about a barrel that was sticking up out of the water,” said Chad McBride, Public Information Officer. “One of our officers went out and checked the barrel and instantly knew that something wasn’t right.”

An autopsy followed Thursday morning.

“Investigators came out and confirmed that it was human remains,” McBride said. “They did an autopsy (at 8 a.m. Thursday) and found out that they were female human remains. At about 3 p.m. on Thursday, investigators actually found a barrel that was submerged under a bridge. We found the second barrel about 24 hours later.”

The second barrel was found near the Camp Reimer Bridge by Sandy Springs Road and Centerville Road.

It was confirmed that the remains in the second barrel were that of a male. The sheriff’s office stated police do believe the two deaths are related.

“At this point, we think the female had been in the barrel approximately 30 days,” said McBride. “We’re not able to confirm that (time frame) on the male until they finish the autopsy.”

An autopsy is still pending for the male in the second barrel.

“Thursday, the autopsy took about four hours with the female,” McBride said. “I don’t know what kind of condition the second body is in. If it is worse, it may take a little longer.”

McBride said police are still searching the area.

“The investigation is continuing,” said McBride. “Police worked throughout the night (on Thursday) and throughout the morning (on Friday). We have divers on boats to check the area to see if, God forbid, there are any more out there.”

As of Friday morning, the female had been identified, but names have not yet been released.