Bodies of 2 Brothers Found in Apartment

Two brothers were found shot to death in their Van Nuys apartment Sunday morning, police said.

The bodies of Maher Samarneh, 32, and Mazen Samarneh, 31, were found in their second-floor apartment in the 6900 block of Kester Avenue shortly after 11 a.m. Police said the men apparently died from several gunshots to the upper torso.

Police said Sunday they had not established a motive but were searching for a third person who may have lived in the apartment. They said the person was not a suspect in the case but was wanted for questioning.

Neighbors reported hearing gunshots Friday, two days before police discovered the bodies. Police said it was possible the bodies had been in the apartment several days.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the time and cause of death.

Police would not release details of the crime, such as how many shots were fired, what type of gun was used and how the killer gained entry to the apartment.

The brothers, believed to have worked as carpenters in a family-owned business, immigrated to the United States from Jordan between five and eight years ago, police said. At least 10 other family members immigrated with the brothers and live throughout Los Angeles County, police said.

The bodies were discovered by a family pastor who stopped at the apartment at the request of the men’s mother, who had not heard from her sons in several days. Police said the mother told them she talked to her sons daily.

Neighbors contacted Sunday said the two men kept to themselves.