Argentine authorities say they have found the remains of an Australian scientist and her sister, and have arrested the son of one of them.
The bodies of 54-year-old University of New England microbiology professor Lily Pereg and her 63-year-old sister Pirhya Sarussi, of Israel, were found on Saturday local time near the city of Mendoza.
They were found on a lot beside the home of Ms Sarussi's son Gilad Pereg, 36.
The sisters were on holiday. Source: GoFundMe
Prosecutor Claudia Rios confirmed the 36-year-old was arrested, and said an autopsy would determine the cause of death.
The two women vanished about two weeks ago after they reportedly went to Mendoza to visit Mr Pereg, who had lived in Argentina for more than 10 years.
"(We are) humbled by the outpouring of support and love, worldwide," the page reads.
"Your love carried us and will help us recover from a huge tragedy.
"There will never be an explanation."
Dr Pereg obtained a PhD from the University of Sydney in 1998 and gained postdoctoral experience from the Institute for Genetics at the University of Cologne in Germany before joining UNE in 2001.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs said consular assistance is being provided to the family, including potentially assisting with funeral arrangements or the repatriation of remains.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian woman who died in Argentina. Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment," the department said in a statement.
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