GREENSBORO, N.C. — Police charged two teenage neighbors with first-degree murder Monday in a double homicide that took place inside a motel room nearly two months ago.

Anthony Jacque Johnson and Jacob Tyrone Snipes, both 17, are accused of killing Regina Marie Shelton, 38, of Charlotte, and Bobby Joe Handy, 42, of Thurman, inside a fourth-floor room at the AmeriSuites motel, Greensboro police report. The bodies were discovered by the motel's cleaning staff about 12:45 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Johnson and Snipes face two counts each of first-degree murder. A motive and exact cause of death have not been released, but early in the investigation police said the couple, who checked in together, appeared to have been beaten.

Both Johnson and Snipes were in the Guilford County jail on unrelated charges at the time of their arrests, according to a statement from Capt. Gary Hastings.

Jail records show Snipes was booked Dec. 29 on charges of selling a counterfeit controlled substance, resisting arrest, loitering for drug activity, failing to appear in court, robbery with a dangerous weapon and two probation violations. He is being held without bond.

Johnson was charged earlier Monday with selling a counterfeit controlled substance, loitering for drug activity, failing to appear, resisting arrest and larceny of property, records show. He is being held without bond.