Best Friends Of 17 Years Find Out That They're Really Sisters

Two American women who have been the best of friends since meeting at school 17 years ago have discovered that they are actually biological sisters.

31-year-old Ashley Thomas and 29-year-old Toya Wimberly, from Pennsylvania, have always acted as if they were related, ever since they met at school, but they only recently discovered that - by an incredible quirk of coincidence - they share the same father.

So, it goes a bit like this.

For 15 years, Thomas has known that the man who has always been the father figure in her life is not actually her biological dad.

However, it now turns out that her best friend's dad, Kenneth Wimberly, who has been in her life all this time anyway, is her father too.

Kenneth himself said that he had 'mixed emotions' after discovering the truth, but told Newsweek: "I was hurt, but also happy to find out that this beautiful and successful young lady was my daughter,"

According to local TV channel WPVI-TV, the shocking discovery was made when Toya got engaged.

In old pictures that were shared on social media after the engagement, someone who was friends with Thomas' late mother recognised Kenneth from decades ago.

When asked about it, Kenneth said that he also recognised the woman, and the connections started to be made.

Those dots, once joined up, prompted them all to have a DNA test. That proved the suspicions that they'd had already - Thomas was also his daughter.

Toya described the emotional moment she found out. She said: "My father texted me, 'Ashley's your sister'. I just started crying."

Ashley added: "I've been around him all my life and I never once thought he could be my dad."

In a Facebook post, Toya wrote: "After years of hearing 'Are y'all sisters?" "Y'all look just alike' and us just saying 'NO' we are just best friends the truth finally aired that we are blood sisters!!!

"That's why we're so similar, that's why we look so alike, that's why we've been inseparable since the 6th grade."

As well as discovering that they're real sisters, the pair have also now become pregnant at the same time. To add yet more intrigue, the fathers of both of their children are brothers, too.

Wow.

In another Facebook post, Ashley wrote: "This is so unbelievable! We share sooooo many memories.

"From growing our first borns up together & now growing our business together, I would've never [have] thought in a million years my little sister was by my side the whole time."

Featured Image Credit: Kenneth Wimberley/ABC6

Topics: Interesting, US News, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim