The victims of a triple murder involving a crossbow in Toronto were the mother and two brothers of the man accused in the killings.

Susan Ryan, 66, Alexander Ryan, 29, and Christopher Ryan, 42, were killed in a suburban home last week. Their identities and relationship to the accused can now be revealed, after a publication ban in the case was lifted.

Brett Ryan, 35, is facing three charges of first-degree murder. He made a brief court appearance on Tuesday, where he spent most of the time staring at his hands and feet, CTV Toronto’s Colin D’Mello reported.

On Monday, police said that the woman killed in Thursday’s attack died from ligature strangulation. One of the male victims died from a crossbow bolt stab wound to the neck, and the other from a single arrowhead stab wound to the neck, Det. Sgt. Mike Carbone told reporters.

Police did not say whether the bolt and arrow were shot or used as handheld weapons.

Warren Dalton, who lives across the street from the scene of the crime, told The Canadian Press that Susan Ryan lived with two of her sons: Alexander Ryan and another son who witnessed the attack.

Dalton said the fourth brother, who has not been publicly named, came to his door on Thursday covered in blood and seeking help.

"I carried him half into the living room and he fell onto the floor and he said 'Call 911, my brother is bleeding on the driveway,"' Dalton told CP.

Police have said that, after Thursday’s attack, the suspect received treatment at a hospital. They said another man was also treated in hospital and released, but they did not elaborate on his connection to the case.

Dalton also told CP that his wife was friends with Susan Ryan, who had severe osteoporosis and other health issues, Other neighbours told reporters last week that Susan’s husband died about two years ago.

Co-workers mourn Christopher Ryan

The Toronto Transit Commission confirmed Tuesday that one of the victims, Christopher Ryan, was an employee for the past 12 years.

Christopher Ryan had worked as a station collector, the TTC said in a statement.

“On behalf of the entire TTC family, we offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Ryan’s family, friends and colleagues,” the TTC said, adding that station flags would be lowered in his memory.

In 2008, Brett Ryan was accused of robbing more than a dozen banks in the Toronto area, and nicknamed the “Fake Beard Bandit.” In January 2009, he was convicted on charges related to the bank robberies and served three years and nine months behind bars.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have spoken to Ryan in the days leading up to the murders to contact 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers.

With files from The Canadian Press