Man accused of murdering 2 Saint John boys remains in hospital

A Saint John man facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of two boys found in a north-end apartment last week remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say.

"There is no update on a court appearance at this time," Staff Sgt. Sarah Hobbs, spokesperson for the Saint John Police Force, said Tuesday.

The 46-year-old accused remains under police custody, she said.

Officers found the victims, aged 10 and 17, while responding to a 911 call to Skaling Court, in Millidgeville, on Jan. 29 around 7 a.m.

The officers, who "immediately forced entry," also located a 46-year-old man with life-threatening injuries, who was taken into custody, given first aid and transported to hospital.

Police have not released the names of the accused or victims, or disclosed the nature of the relationship between them.

Hobbs declined again Tuesday to discuss how the boys died.

She also declined to discuss the nature of the accused's injuries, what, if any, weapons were used, or whether the injuries were self-inflicted.

"Although we recognize the public interest in this case, to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and court proceedings, the Saint John Police are not able to provide answers to many questions," she said in an emailed statement.

Police cleared the scene Friday evening. But the investigation by forensic identification services, the major crime unit and the family protection unit continues, in co-operation with the coroner's office.

Anyone with information can contact Saint John police at 1-506-648-3333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.