Winton, N.C. — The person who killed two Virginia sisters and left their bodies in Hertford County in August might have injured a hand while doing so, investigators said Thusday.

They also think the assailant might have taken time off from work around the times of the deaths.

Nellie Bradley, 71, and Dorothy Hobbs, 74, both of Emporia, Va., were found stabbed to death on a farm near Murfreesboro -- about 40 miles from their home in early August.

Investigators said they are not ruling out the possibility that the women were killed elsewhere and that their bodies were dumped along the wooded area less than two hours later. Their car, a black 1996 Ford, was found in Boykins behind an abandoned house.

Authorities are offering a $12,500 reward in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hertford County Sheriff's Office at 252-358-7800 or the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation at 800-334-3000.