Two brothers arrested as suspects in a racist and homophobic attack on Empire star Jussie Smollett have been cleared of all charges and released, according to Chicago police. The authorities are said to have found “new evidence” exonerating Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, who themselves worked as extras on the Fox TV series, and allegedly shared personable rapports with Smollett.

The case of Smollett’s attack has taken several bizarre turns since its initial occurrence in late January. An interview with G.M.A.’s Robin Roberts saw Smollett clarifying details of the incident, including false reports that he’d described his attackers as wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. Speculation even emerged that Smollett had staged the attack to benefit his career, though Chicago police said there was “no evidence” of any subterfuge.

Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo were booked for battery and interrogated as persons of interest this week, and TMZ reports a raid of their home turned up several bottles of bleach (it was said Smollett’s attackers had poured a chemical substance on him during the scuffle). It was not clear if the Osundairo brothers were believed to be the same men in a surveillance photo Smollett acknowledged to be of the assailants.

A separate TMZ report also alleges that Ola and Abel Osundairo were generally well liked by the Empire cast and crew, and have expressed political and social views far removed from the racist and homophobic language described in the initial attack. It is also said that Smollett would discuss health and fitness with the brothers on set, leaving it unclear what first pointed the investigation in their direction. It is also uncertain what “new evidence” precipitated their release, though police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement on Friday that “detectives have additional investigative work to complete.”

Abel and Ola Osundairo reportedly flew from the U.S. to Nigeria the day of the incident and were arrested upon their Wednesday return to O’Hare International Airport. Asked about the trip, the brothers’ attorney, Gloria Schmidt, stated it was a “great question,” and that the brothers would share their story “when the time is right.”

“They are baffled about why they are people of interest,” Schmidt told CBS News of the brothers. “It’s an awful thing that happened to Jussie, but it’s not my guys.”