Police on Thursday identified the two children and two adults who were found dead Tuesday in a basement apartment in Troy, New York, near Albany. New York's police chief called the incident the worst act of "savagery" he's seen in four decades on the job.

The victims were identified as 36-year-old Shanta Myers; her children, 11-year-old Jeremiah Myers and 5-year-old Shanise Myers; and Myers' lover, 22-year-old Brandi Mells. Police also released the photos of the victims, calling for the public to help with tips for the progress of the case.

"The Troy Police Department is releasing these photos not only for the media but to further appeal to the public for any information regarding this horrific case," Capt. Dan DeWolf of the Troy Police Department said in a statement.

Talking about the case, DeWolf told CNN affiliate WTEN he believes the quadruple homicide is an isolated incident.

"Unfortunately, it's horrible, terrible, sad — especially at this time of the year — that there's four deceased folks in there," he said. "We're going to do everything we can to look into this and get to the bottom of what happened here."

Police did not reveal the exact cause of death and a possible motive.

Shakera Symes, sister of Shanta Myers, described her as a good-natured woman.

"She is so sweet," her sister, Shakera Symes, told NBC News. "She goes out of her way to want to be loved. She wouldn't be involved in anything that would be close to deserving this. She's very mild-mannered."

She told Spectrum News in Albany she's now raising Myers' 15-year-old son, who has been staying with her for two months.

"It's going to devastate us for a very, very long time," Symes said Thursday. "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 bodies of the four victims were found Tuesday after a property manager was called to check on their welfare.

"People are very nervous, very concerned that the person who did this crime is still loose," Rev. Jackie Robinson, a member of the city's African American Pastoral Alliance, said. "We're talking about organizing a meeting and inviting the whole community to come and share their concerns, with counselors to try to relieve people of stress and anxiety."

Victory Christian Church of Albany offered a $5,000 bounty for any information leading to an arrest in the case.

The Troy City School District along with the Boys and Girls Club planned to offer grief counseling Friday morning at Troy Middle School.

"Our hearts are broken and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and loved ones during this terribly troubling time," school superintendent John Carmello said in a statement, adding a crisis response team will be on hand next week when children return from holiday recess.

Troy Boys and Girls Club director Hollyanne Buntich told CBS affiliate WRGB that Jeremiah, who was called JJ, was an amazing child.

"He was everybody's friend, he always had a smile on his face, and he played a major role in the club, he was a quintessential club kid, he came here every day, often times he was the last to leave," Buntich said.

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