TROY, N.Y. -- The names and photos of the four people found dead in a basement apartment in Troy were released as police continue investigating for a third day.

Shanta Myers, 36; Brandi Mells, 22; and Myers' two children, 11-year-old Jeremiah and five-year-old Shanise were found dead inside the home on Second Avenue, victims of a quadruple homicide.

Police do not believe this was a random act. The bodies were discovered Tuesday afternoon, but police say that it's unclear when the Myers family and Mells were killed. A source says that the bodies were found tied up.

Police released the photos and identities of the victims to appeal to the public to come forward with more information in the case.

"I don't need to speak about the horrific events that took place in that apartment, especially dealing with children. We are certainly appealing to anyone in the community that would have any knowledge to what transpired there to contact us as soon as possible," said Troy Police Chief John Tedesco on Wednesday.

Spectrum News spoke with Myers' sister, Shakera Symes, who said the entire family is heartbroken at the loss of family members. The sister said Myers' oldest son had been living with them for about two months. She also said she last spoke with Shanta last week.

"You have to understand how painful and unforgettable this is," Symes said. "It's going to devastate us for a very, very long time. And to have to raise the oldest, knowing he lost his entire family that day ... that's not a job that's going to be easy for me."

The manner and motive of the crimes have not been not released as police say it could hurt their investigation. New York State Police Major Crimes and Forensic and Computer Crimes units are investigating.

Shanta Myers and Mells were in a relationship and not related, police say.