The Duval County Sheriff's Office is investigating the deaths of two Tampa women who were found dead on the side of the road early Thursday morning.

The victims have been identified as Angelia Mangum, 19, and Tjhisha Ball, 18. They both attended Freedom High School but school officials said they withdrew before graduating.

Detectives said people were driving by the 9800 block of Sisson Drive around 2 a.m. when they saw the women and called 911.

Witnesses said they were bound with zip ties and officials said foul play is suspected.

Ball's mother, Jerlean Moore, said her daughter had been living in Jacksonville and working as an exotic dancer.

"She was fun, bubbly, loved people," said Moore.

Moore said she talked to her daughter for the last time about two weeks ago and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

She called her daughter a "brave person."

"Not that she would go into harm's way but if harm came she would try her best to fight her way out of it," she said.

Moore said Mangum had grown up in foster care. She said the two women were best friends.

"Her and her friend were like two peas in a pod," she said. "I mean it's sad but it's like if someone was going to hurt one, they had to hurt the other."

The Medical Examiner has taken custody of the bodies and will determine the cause of death.

No suspects are in custody.

Anyone with information is being asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500.