CHESHIRE, Conn. -- Two convicted burglars charged in the deaths of a woman and her two daughters were out on parole Monday when they broke into the home of a prominent Cheshire physician and held his family hostage for hours before setting the home on fire, authorities said.

Joshua Komisarjevky, 26, of Cheshire and Steven Hayes, 44, of Winsted were arraigned Tuesday in Meriden Superior Court and charged with aggravated sexual assault, assault, arson, robbery, kidnapping, risk of injury to children and larceny. State police said Tuesday night more charges are pending.

Komisarjevky lived less than two miles from the victims.

The state medical examiner confirmed Tuesday night that Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, was strangled and her daughters, 17-year-old Hayley and 11-year-old Michaela died of smoke inhalation. All three deaths were ruled homicides.

Dr. William Petit Jr., 50, remained hospitalized with head injuries he suffered in the attack.

"He's doing OK physically. Emotionally he is devastated and still worried about others," said Petit's pastor the Rev. Stephen Volpe, who has visited the doctor Monday and Tuesday. Volpe added that Petit's relatives are keeping from him certain details of the case. He would not elaborate.

The family issued its first public statement about the case on Tuesday.

"Our precious family members have been the victims of horrible, senseless, violent assaults. We are understandably in shock and overwhelmed with sadness as we attempt to gather together to support one another and recognize these wonderful, giving beautiful individuals who have been so cruelly taken from us," the statement said.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jamie Roth has learned that a Meriden Superior Court judge reconfirmed bond for both men at $15 million. The case has been transferred to New Haven and scheduled for Aug. 7, at which time, both men could possibly enter pleas.

Komisarjevsky and Hayes face several charges, including first-degree sexual assault, arson, kidnapping and robbery. Eyewitness News obtained police records for the two men early Tuesday morning and learned both men have been arrested more than a dozen times on larceny and burglary charges. Both were sentenced in 2002 to five years in prison.

Eyewitness News has learned that the two men recently lived in the same halfway house following their release from prison.

Eyewitness News has learned that police are keeping Hayes on suicide watch. State Police Major Crime Squad Detectives and Cheshire Police are expected to file additional charges in this case.

Eyewitness News obtained a statement from an unidentified man at Komisarjevsky's last known address.

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Petit family (and all those whose lives they touched.) We cannot understand what would have made something like this happen," the statement read. "There is nothing else we can say at this time."

Eyewitness News has learned that Komisarjevsky was in a child custody dispute with Jennifer Norton, of Hamden, that began in April 2005.

Last year, Norton filed against Komisarjevsky in court to seek child support. It's unclear as to which adult is in custody of the child.

Police: Assailants Ignited House Before Fleeing

The assailants entered the home at about 3 a.m. on Sorghum Mill Drive and took the family hostage and set their home afire while they were still inside, according to police.

"I saw the firetrucks going down the street this morning, then there was tons of smoke coming out of the house," said Jane Bayarski, of Cheshire.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Diana Rocco watched as police started removing from the house the bodies of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, and the couple's two daughters, Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11.

Investigators said two intruders broke into the house, held the family hostage for hours and set the home on fire before fleeing.

Police said one of the intruders took Hawke-Petit to a Bank of America branch in town while the other intruder kept the other family members at the house. Police said Hawke-Petit was able to communicate with the bank teller that her family had been taken hostage. At some point, the intruder returned to the home with Hawke-Petit.

Police said two men tried to leave in the Petit family's car and rammed several police cruisers several times before they were taken into custody.

"Upon arrival, police say two suspects were leaving the house and the house was engulfed in flames," state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said.

Police found William Petit outside, who was somehow able to escape the burning home. Crews transported him to St. Mary's Hospital with serious head injuries. Hours later, authorities found the three bodies inside the home.

"This is a quiet Connecticut community. Now, it has been turned into a scene from a horror movie," said Samantha O'Donnell, of Cheshire.

"They were such a nice family. I knew the father. He was always outside gardening," said Laura Parisi, of Cheshire. "I can't imagine losing my whole family in a second."

Helayne Lightstone, a spokeswoman for The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, said an employee prayer service for Petit will be held at the hospital on Friday at noon. It will not be open to the public.

The hospital has also made grief counselors available to staff.

"Another day has gone by and it's no less shocking," she said.

Church Opens For Community Mourning

The Cheshire United Methodist Church on Academy Road -- the church that the Petit family attended -- is scheduled to open its doors from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday night for a community mourning in the sanctuary of the church.

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