The badly burned bodies of two women and a girl discovered inside a charred van north of Toronto last week died from gunshot wounds, York region police said on Tuesday.
One victim has been positively identified as 47-year-old Toronto resident Zu Ling He, the wife of a man who was found screaming at the scene suffering from burns.
Coroners have been unable to positively identify the two other deceased victims because of the conditions of their bodies, and DNA testing may be required. Police have said they believe the victims are the wife's 22-year-old stepdaughter and her four-year-old daughter.
The man's husband, Bao "Kenny" Mac, 46, remains in hospital in critical condition with third-degree burns to his upper body. Police have been unable to speak to him because of his state.
Police said they found Mac near the burned van on a rural road in King Township on Oct. 14. He had run to a nearby house screaming for help.
Investigators traced the vehicle's licence plate to a home in northeast Toronto, where a marijuana grow operation was discovered in the basement. Police have said they don't believe the grow-op is linked to the deaths.
Police are still appealing to anyone with information to contact them at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com. Emails can also be sent to homicide@yrp.ca.
