Overview
- Police allege Peter O'Ryan attacked his brother and parents with an axe at a Tyers home on Saturday, leaving all three family members critically or seriously injured and taken to hospital.
- Victoria Police conducted a multi-day search across Tyers and the Latrobe Valley using officers, a helicopter and CCTV leads before officers detained O'Ryan on Tuesday evening near Tyers-Walhalla Road.
- Victims remain in hospital with the father reported in critical but stable condition and the mother and brother in serious but stable condition while police continue medical and forensic inquiries.
- Court records show O'Ryan faces more than 60 matters and was sentenced to eight months in April before being released in July after 171 days in pre‑sentence custody, a fact officials say is relevant to risk and supervision questions.
- Police warned the public not to approach the suspect during the search and say they will now interview O'Ryan as they build a file for possible charges and examine CCTV, dashcam and witness accounts.