Update, 6:45 p.m. Friday

The two women died both died from one or more gunshot wounds, Lopey said. Their autopsies happened Thursday.

Lopey said the deaths are being considered homicides, but a motive still hasn't been revealed.

Update, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday

The two women who were fatally shot earlier this week near Dorris were identified Wednesday as Mor Hang, 81, and Rosey Vang, 49, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey said.

The double homicide occurred early Monday morning in the vicinity of "Big Stump" and Dorris-Brownell Road, an area known as Pleasant Valley Highlands. It is about three miles northwest of Dorris near the Oregon border.

Lopey said Vang lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and had been visiting Hang for about a month. He did not know how long Hang, who also once lived in Milwaukee, had been residing at the residence where the shooting occurred.

Authorities still don't have a motive for the attack and they have not arrested anyone.

"We are making progress and we are hopeful about some investigative leads that were developed yesterday," Lopey said.

Lopey said there is no reason to believe the public is in danger, though he advised residents to take precautions.

"We recommend that all citizens in the Pleasant Valley Highlands area and Dorris keep their residences and vehicles secured and report any suspicious persons or activity to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office," Lopey said.

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Original story

Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of two women early Monday morning in remote Siskiyou County near the Oregon border, Sheriff Jon Lopey said.

The double homicide was in the area of "Big Stump" and Dorris-Brownell Road, which is about three miles northwest of Dorris, Lopey said.

Deputies were dispatched to a property just after 2 a.m. after a call about a robbery, he said.

Initially, the call went to the California Highway Patrol. When authorities arrived, they found the two gunshot victims, Lopey said.

“One of the victims survived and that victim was transported to the local fire station," Lopey said. There, paramedics were unable to revive her and she later died, he said.

The other woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities believe one of them lived in the property and both may have been related to each other.

Lopey declined to give other details about victims or the type of gun used in their shooting, only to say at least one firearm was used.

The victims' names are being withheld until authorities positively identify them and then notify their family members, he later wrote in a statement. An autopsy is scheduled this week to confirm the cause and manner of death.

Investigators questioned two men. One of them told authorities he was a family member of the victims, Lopey said.

No arrests have been made, and investigators were still at the property early Monday afternoon.

"There is no direct indicator to believe area residents are endangered but all citizens in the local Dorris area should keep their vehicles and homes locked and secured," Lopey said in the statement, urging residents to report any suspicious activity or people to his office.

Lopey said the area — referred to as Pleasant Valley Highlands — is rugged and isolated, which is why authorities had a difficult time accessing the property.

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“There are rural parcels up there ... really rugged roads, rocks and ruts, and we have a lot of illegal marijuana cultivation sites in that area,” Lopey said.

There was a marijuana cultivation operation where the shooting occurred, but Lopey said investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting.

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Anyone with information on the case can call the sheriff's office at 841-2900.

"There is a good chance someone heard something or saw something that could be useful to investigators working this case. On behalf of the SCSO and its members, our thoughts and prayers are extended to the victims, their family members, and friends," Lopey wrote.

Monday’s double homicide comes four days after the recovery of a body led to the arrest of a Weed man on suspicion murder.

Robert Henry Tessmer Jr., 37, was arrested on Thursday following an investigation into a missing person report.

The body was found in the Carrick Addition of Weed. Authorities have not identified the body.

Evidence at the scene led to the arrest of Tessmer. That case is under investigation.

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David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-225-8219. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.