Manhunt underway for Peter O'Ryan after axe attack on family in Victoria
Quick Look
- Police in Victoria, Australia are searching for Peter O'Ryan, 48, who allegedly attacked his parents and brother with an axe at a home in Tyers on Saturday.
- The 76-year-old father and 47-year-old brother were flown to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries, while the 74-year-old mother was taken to hospital with critical injuries.
- All victims are now in stable condition.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Peter O'Ryan, a 48-year-old local of Tyers in Victoria's east, allegedly attacked his elderly parents and brother with an axe at a residential premises on Cowies Road in Tyers on Saturday. The attack resulted in life-threatening and critical injuries to the victims, who were transported to hospitals in Melbourne.
Police are urging people to remain vigilant and report any sightings of a man who allegedly attacked his parents and brother with an axe in Victoria's east.
On Saturday, Peter O'Ryan, 48, allegedly set upon his elderly mother and father, and brother with an axe at a home in Tyers, about two hours east of Melbourne.
Police are continuing their investigation at the Cowies Road home and have issued a warrant for his arrest.
The man's 76-year-old father and 47-year-old brother were yesterday flown to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries, while his 74-year-old mother was also transported to hospital with critical injuries.
All of the victims are in stable condition.
Detective Inspector Mark Rossiter said extra police resources had been called to the area to continue the manhunt across the Latrobe Valley.
"We searched the areas in the immediate vicinity of the residential premises with no luck," Mr Rossiter said.
"Our intelligence suggests that O'Ryan isn't a bushman or a bush person, and whilst it's likely that he headed into that area, he's more known to frequent towns like Morwell and staying in abandoned houses and the like," he said.
Authorities said Mr O'Ryan was a Tyers local and "very well known to police".
He said police had not found the assault weapon, and believed Mr O'Ryan could be armed.
Community remains vigilant
Police said there was nothing to suggest Mr O'Ryan posed a threat to the community.
"Whilst we urge people to be vigilant … there has been no intelligence to suggest that Peter O'Ryan would harm anybody else," Mr Rossiter said.
"This was an attack on people known to him, family members … early investigations have revealed that it probably resulted after an argument.
"Our intelligence isn't suggesting that there are any further threats to the community."
Mr O'Ryan was last seen wearing a mustard coloured jacket and carrying a black backpack.
Police are asking anyone who has CCTV or dash camera footage around the Tyers area to contact Crime Stoppers.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Peter O'Ryan will be apprehended by police in the coming days
Likely · Within days
The victims will require extended medical care and rehabilitation
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What was the motive behind the axe attack?
- Where is Peter O'Ryan currently located?
- Has the assault weapon (axe) been recovered?
- What is the relationship dynamics within the family prior to the incident?