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2 Bodies found at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in Florida

By Kristen Butler, UPI.com
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. (CC/Ebyabe)
Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. (CC/Ebyabe)

Two bodies were discovered this morning at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. An employee at Dreyfoos found the bodies of a school custodian and another adult early Wednesday morning.

"It's an open death investigation," West Palm Beach Police spokesman Capt. David Bernhardt said. "That way we're not limiting to ourselves what type of investigation we are doing. It could turn out to be a homicide investigation later on, it could just be a normal death investigation."

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So far police say there is no obvious sign of a crime or of how the two people died at the downtown high school. Bernhardt declined to give the ages or genders of the victims, though they were both reportedly adults.

Bernhardt also revealed the bodies were discovered in a "maintenance or supply area" near the school's theater, and were not found inside a classroom. Although the school held its graduation in May, it is unclear if summer classes were scheduled.

Police, including SWAT, were in and out of the school this morning. The SWAT team was inside to secure the building. The FBI appeared on the scene briefly until it was determined there was no active shooter.

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“Our hearts are broken by the tragic loss of lives at the Dreyfoos School. It is a sad day for our schools, community and our workers. While the investigations are underway and we are anxiously waiting to know the details, our heartfelt condolences go out to the co-workers and families,” SEIU-Florida Public Services Union President Alphonso Mayfield said in a statement.

Dreyfoos alumni and parents were shocked to hear of the discovery on the campus of the arts school.

UPDATE: Authorities have identified the deceased as Ted Orama, 56, and Christopher Marshall, 48.

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