State marine officials are investigating the deaths of at least seven sea turtles along Mississippi beaches.

The turtles have been found over the past two weeks on beaches in Hancock and Harrison counties.

Mike Buchanan, bureau director for fin fish at the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, says two loggerhead turtles and five Kemp’s Ridley turtles have been found.

The latest turtle was discovered Wednesday near the ruins of an old pier on the Waveland beach.

Buchanan says the turtles found on local beaches likely died in the water and drifted in.