The bodies of Judy Stephens, 53, and her mother Isabel Stephens, 89, were found south of Benalla on Saturday. Credit:Victoria Police "[A tragic accident] that the family now has to deal with, and our condolences go to them, further than that there is nothing else," he said. The small town of about 10,000 residents was shaken by the women's disappearance, after a significant search effort saw SES and police trawling through Benalla and Tatong last week. Cr Firth said the discovery of the women's bodies on Saturday provided closure for the Stephens family, and the Benalla community. "The fact is that anything that takes this long to get closure, everybody's interested," he said.

Many friends have remembered Judy Stephens for giving ''the best hugs''. Credit:Volunteer Friends Program "But I think the fact that the police have been quite upfront about the detail, we will now leave the investigation up to them. "I would think the actual impact on the community is one of relief now, and other than that it's just a family tragedy." The Tatong Tavern was the last place Isabel Stephens, 89 and Judy Stephens, 53, were seen before they were found dead in bushland near Samaria. Credit:Mark Jesser / Fairfax Media The Reverend Kel Hodge, of Benalla Uniting Church, said Isabel, who was an active member of the church for many years, lived her life "very much focussed on Judy's welfare".

"Isabel was a much-loved member, and had many lasting friendship in the church," he said. "On behalf of the Benalla Uniting Church community, I extend our sympathy to the Stephens' family." The last sighting of the women was lunchtime on May 21 at Tatong Tavern, where they told owner Chris McCabe they only wanted to eat "something small" to save themselves for dinner. Isabel and Judy lived apart; the 89-year-old at independent residential aged care facility Cooinda Village while Judy was a resident at Uniting Church's Esther Cook Cottages, but they often shared Sunday lunch together.

"Normally, every Sunday they went out for lunch – she [Isabel] seemed happy," said Isabel's neighbour, who did not want to be named. "Sunday they finished up and went for a drive out there … it's just terrible." The neighbour said she had lived near Isabel at Cooinda for about three years. "We were good friends, we just put a rose garden in together in the last couple months; there's all these beautiful memories," she said. "For Isabel, Judy was her life, and Judy loved to come over here and have a chat to me."

Cooinda chief executive Margaret Aldous said "The Cooinda Community is deeply saddened by Isabel and Judy Stephen's deaths. Our thoughts, love and support is with their family and friends at this incredible sad and difficult time." Judy, who had an intellectual disability and was insulin dependent, lived with eight other residents at the church's cottages on Clarke Street. Her neighbour Mark Lamb said they were both well-known in Benalla and were "lovely people". He said he last saw Judy on the Thursday before she went missing. "She would come out the front and always be up for a yack, she was always smiling," he said. "Her mum was a lovely person, too, I helped do her blinds and she was well-known around town. It's a small community; on Saturday everybody was talking about it."

Mr Lamb said "it was a real shock they were found out at Samaria". "The majority of people thought, being out Tatong way, they must have headed towards Tolmie and gone off the road – it's dense bushland and deep ravines out there; you wouldn't get found," he said. The ladies were regular customers at the Reject Shop in Benalla, and assistant manager Nikita Gambrell said "Judy would always stop and have a conversation with all us staff." "They were such lovely ladies and the community has lost two beautiful souls," she said. Volunteer Friends Program – a Wodonga-based respite provider – said Judy was a "much loved participant" of the program and would be "sadly missed".

Friends and family spoke of their heartbreak on social media over the weekend. "I'm sitting here this morning trying to find the words to express my love, sadness and compassion for my dear friends who have lost a Mum, Grandma, Sister and Aunt," Melinda Hill wrote on Facebook. "My heart is truly broken for you all knowing the devastation they have left behind. I will forever have fond memories [of] Jude and Isabel." Many have spoken of Judy's hugs. "[They] were the best hugs ... straight from the heart ... always so excited to tell some special news ... gonna miss you Judy and your love for life, your infectious smile, your non judgmental flair for everyone ... one in a million," wrote Di Harper. Police said the exact circumstances of their deaths are yet to be determined "however at this time police do not do not believe it is suspicious".

Loading A report will be prepared for the coroner. With The Border Mail