Grandmother, mother, son killed in rural Ontario

A man whose mother, brother and grandmother died in what Ontario provincial police are calling a triple murder-suicide said Monday that his loved ones were killed by a neighbour who had been “stalking” his parent.

Thomas Theoret said his mother Ulla Theoret, 55, brother Paul Theoret, 28, and his grandmother Raija Turanen, 88, were found dead at their rural home in Ryerson Township, Ont., on Friday. Police have confirmed the identities of the three members of the same family, but have not said why or how they were killed.

Investigators also said 58-yearold Mark Jones was found in the same home. Police have said they believe Jones killed the three others before taking his own life.

Thomas Theoret, who was travelling to the small community about 300 kilometres north of Toronto, said Jones and his mother had known each other for a while before their relationship soured.

“My mom didn’t really date (Jones) but I think they were just friends for a couple months,” he told The Canadian Press. “Then he started acting kind of strange and kind of stalking her.”

Theoret said one of his other brothers eventually told Jones to leave the family alone.

The interactions between Jones and the family took place over a year ago, he said, noting that his mother and the man started talking after Jones settled in the neighbourhood.

Investigators are waiting for autopsy results to determine the causes of death, police said.

Residents of Ryerson Township and the nearby village of Burk’s Falls have expressed shock at the deaths, saying the area is typically a very quiet one.