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It's meant to be a getaway from the stresses of work, 62-year-old goal Marie Kuhnla, an attorney from New York, never returned from her girl's trip to Turks and Caicos.
Kuhnla's body was found in the bushes near her resort Club Med on Oct. 16, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force revealed in a statement on Tuesday.
She was reported missing one day before, police say.
Helena Hermans and Kim Nohilly on Oct. 10. The women, who worked at the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society and worked together in Central Islip, spent the first day of their vacation enjoying water excursions and singing karaoke.
"Noahilly told ABC 7.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, Nohilly said Kuhnla was at the beginning of the day.
Marie Kuhnla
Family Photo
Nohilly, who had been friends with Kuhnla for 17 years, Kuhnla did not answer her door, she told ABC 7.
Although Nohilly and Hermans reported their missing, they claim they did not get much help from us.
Tragically on the next day, Nohilly's daughter, discovering Kuhnla's body, ABC 7 reported.
"She did not want this," Hermans told ABC 7. "She was one of the gentlest souls you ever would, ever meet."
While the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Force Police say Kuhnla's death is under investigation and "no further details will be given at this time," Nohilly and Hermans said authorities told them Kuhnla appeared to have been strangled, ABC 7 reported.
Marie Kuhnla
Family Photo
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According to News 12, Kuhnla lived in Wantagh with her husband and worked on a public defender for 15 years.
Kuhnla's brother Peter John Chetuck Newsday, "She was a terrific wife, a terrific mother, a terrific family member."
"She did everything right, the pristine home, the proverbial great neighbor and the community member."
Kuhnla's his Rick Jr. also spoke with Newsday. "She was a loving, caring, compassionate woman who I was lucky to have for a mom," Rick Jr. said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mary at this time. This is an active investigation into the death of Mary and I would like to be contacted by the Serious Crime Unit, "Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said.
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Club Med did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request Newsday "The entire club is saddened by the death of this guest and sends its deepest condolences to the guest's friends and family."
"The safety, security and well being of our guests remains our highest priority."
At this time no arrests have been made.
