The victims of a bizarre triple murder that involved a crossbow in Scarborough Village are believed to be the relatives of the man accused in the killing.
The suspect’s mother Susan Ryan, and brothers Alexander Ryan and Christopher Ryan were all killed in an attack at a residence near Lawndale and Argo roads on Aug. 25. Another man – believed to be another brother of the suspect -- was also injured, but survived the incident.
A publication ban had been in effect to prevent the victims from being identified. However a judge lifted the ban Tuesday.
Police have said that a woman and two men lived at the home where the murders took place.
Police said at a news conference Monday that Susan Ryan was strangled to death. The male victim who was found in the garage alongside the woman died from a crossbow bolt stab wound to the neck. The victim who was found in the driveway died of a single arrowhead stab wound to the neck, police said.
Police said that a crossbow was retrieved from the scene.
In a message posted to social media this afternoon, the TTC confirmed that Christopher Ryan was toll collector who had worked for the transit agency since November 2004.
“The entire #TTC family mourns the loss of Christopher Ryan, a station collector who was killed last Thursday,” TTC spokesperson Brad Ross tweeted.
Christopher Ryan was 42 years old according to the statement. Ross said that TTC flags would be lowered to half-staff today in his memory.
Susan Ryan was in her mid-60s, a close friend told CP24. The friend said that Ryan’s husband passed away about two years ago of cancer and that two of her sons lived with her – Alexander, and another son who was injured in the attack.
A 35 year-old man was arrested at the scene on Aug. 25. He was taken to hospital where he was treated before being released back into police custody.
The same day of the killings, a suspicious package was investigated at a Queen’s Quay condo tower. Police said that the unit was connected to the suspect and that items found inside are now part of the investigation. However police said that the items never posed a threat to public safety.
Brett Ryan of Toronto has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Ryan was under a lifetime weapons ban and had previously served time in prison in connection with a string of bank robberies in Toronto and Durham Region.
Dubbed by police as the ‘fake beard bandit’ because of disguises that were used, Ryan was arrested in 2008 and charged with 29 counts of robbery, intent to commit a crime while disguised, and a weapons offence. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to eight counts each of robbery and intent to commit an indictable offence while disguised. The remaining counts were withdrawn. He was eventually sentenced to more than three years in prison.
Posts on his Facebook page indicate that he was engaged to be married.
The suspect is expected to make another court appearance on Sept. 2.
- With files from the Canadian Press
