Cops: Mother, daughter found dead in Florence home

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — Florence County officials have released the names of a mother and daughter whose bodies were found inside a Florence home.

Coroner M.G. Matthews identified the women Monday as 31-year-old Punam Gopaldas and her mother, 56-year-old Vinaben Patel.

Capt. Mike Nunn says out-of-town relatives asked officers to check on the home after calling and getting no answer. Deputies found the bodies about 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

Matthews says the women likely died earlier Saturday.

Deputies say they think a struggle happened inside the house and are treating the case as a homicide. Authorities say a child in the home was not injured and is now staying with a family friend.

Deputies have not said if they have a suspect.