HENDERSON, N.C. (WNCN) — Three people, including a missing person, were found dead Tuesday night in an apartment.

A Henderson woman told CBS17 it was her mother, sister, and sister’s friend who she found dead inside of their apartment at around 10:25 p.m. on Keene Street. That apartment now sits empty as family and police try to piece together what happened.

The three deceased individuals were 76-year-old Josephine Taylor and her 38-year-old daughter Laura, who lived there. Also found dead was 28-year-old Bakariek Leonard, a daughter’s friend who did not live there. Leonard had been reported by family members as a missing person earlier Tuesday.

Laura Taylor and her mother, Josephine Taylor (Submitted photo)

The last time Taylor’s other daughter, who found the three, heard from any of them was Sunday night. When she discovered them, police said she had to remove a window air-conditioning unit to gain entry to the home because all other entrances had been locked and secured.

“Caller says there’s three deceased inside of the residence,” first responder radio traffic said.

A family friend of the victims who wished to remain anonymous said, “It’s just unbelievable how three people are in the house… the way the door was locked, [the daughter] had to push the A.C. out of the window to get in.

“It’s just terrible. Very scary,” the family friend added.

Henderson police are still trying to find out what happened.

They told CBS17 they are sending the bodies to a medical facility for evaluation and toxicology testing, because there were no outward signs of an attack.

First responder radio traffic indicated they had concerns, even before they got to the home.

“Don’t enter the residence until Fire gets there and checks for CO poisoning,” a dispatcher said. “Be mindful of Monoxide possibility.”

Family friends told CBS17 they don’t think that’s what happened.

“When the door opened, the police, nobody would have been able to breathe in the house,” they said.

CBS17 crews did spot a gas meter outside of the building.

As loved ones wait for answers, they are grieving.

“[They were] very respectful and loving, they would give you the clothes off their back,” they said. “Only God knows [what happened]. But whatever happened, they didn’t deserve it.”

Anyone with information that can assist in determining any facts about this unfortunate event should contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141.