Quebec police confirm deaths of 2 missing girls, continue search for father

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Quebec provincial police say two girls believed to have been abducted by their father have died.

The bodies ofNorahCarpentier, 11, and her sister Romy, 6, were found Saturday afternoon,after a three-day searchinSaint-Apollinaire, southwest of Quebec City, but police had not immediately released their conditions.

Police lifted the Amber Alert, first issued Thursday afternoon,and haveintensified thesearch for the father, 44-year-old Martin Carpentier.

A Sret du Qubec spokesperson said police believe Carpentier is still alive and on the run.

"We don't know exactly what state of mind is facing Mr.Carpentier at the moment," Sgt. Ann Mathieu said.

"We ask people not to take any chances. So if they have any information or if they see him,just call 911 and we will take charge of the situation."

Premier Franois Legaulttweeted his condolences to the girls' family, calling their deaths a national tragedy.

"Like all Quebecers, I am devastated, without words. Losing two children, what we hold dearest in life, is incomprehensible," he wrote.

Autopsies on the bodies are expected to take place shortly.

The sisters were last seen at about8:30 p.m. Wednesdaywith their father in a convenience store.

About an hour later, Carpentier's vehicle crashed about 15 kilometres west of the store, on Highway 20, saidSret du QubecspokespersonSgt. Louis-Philippe Bibeau. Nobody was found when officersarrived, police said.

Bibeau said after interviewing several witnesses and the children's mother,investigators hadreason to believe the girls were abducted by their father.

The partnerof Martin Carpentier released a video pleading for him to reach out to family.

The video waspublishedby Quebec provincial police at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday. In it, Cathy Gingrasaddresses Carpentier through tears, saying, "We just want to knowyou're OK."

Quebec police confirm deaths of 2 girls believed to have been abducted by their father

4 years ago

Duration 2:04

The bodies of Norah Carpentier, 11, and her sister Romy, 6, have been found after a three-day search in Saint-Apollinaire, southwest of Quebec City. Police say they are now intensifying their search for the father, 44-year-old Martin Carpentier.

Carpentierisfive feet10 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. He has thinning hair and was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt and jeans. He may be wearing glasses.