Grisly discovery as women's bodies found taped together floating down river

An investigation is underway after the bodies of two women were found floating in a river, bound together with duct tape.

A passer-by found the two bodies floating in New York’s Hudson River off Manhattan’s Upper West Side, on Wednesday about 2.40pm and called authorities.

The bodies of the women, who police say were fully clothed, were taped together, the ABC reported.

The circumstances surrounding their deaths are being investigated, however police say the bodies presented no obvious signs of trauma.

• Explosive devices sent to Clintons, Obamas and CNN in act of terror

• Mystery winner set to take home $2.25 billion lottery jackpot

• Family struggling to comprehend slaying of ‘kind, sweet and fun’ woman

The bodies, which have yet to be identified, are believed to have washed ashore with the tide and remained there when the tide went out.

The New York City medical examiner’s office will investigate the causes of death, city officials said.