A Brampton man accused of killing his two sons made a brief court appearance on Thursday.

Edwin Bastidas, 52, appeared by video at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton from Maplehurst Correctional Complex. He appeared wearing an orange jumpsuit, with his eyes downcast.

Bastidas’s case was held over until Nov. 21 when he is scheduled to appear in court in person.

He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the death of his sons, 12-year-old Jonathan and 9-year-old Nicolas.

The boys were found dead in their home on Hiberton Crescent after Peel police responded to a medical call on the evening of Nov. 6.

A cause of death has not been revealed, but police said they did not sustain obvious signs of trauma.

Outside the courtroom, Bastidas’s lawyer, Michael Kohl, said he was not prepared to comment on any details of the case.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been set up to help the children’s mother, Sylvana Ruggiero. As of Wednesday, it had generated more than $23,000.

A stuffed blue Eeyore, from the Winnie-the-Pooh books, a model airplane and a pair of tiny candles, one with the initial “J” and another, “N,” sat amongst a mountain of flowers and teddy bears on the lawn outside the family’s home, Thursday.

“Rest in peace little ones,” read one card.

Friends and neighbours held a vigil there for the boys Wednesday evening.

The boys are the 24th and 25th homicide victims in Peel Region this year. Last year, there were 26 homicides in the region, one shy of the record of 27 set in 2008.

Anyone with information that may help the investigation can contact the homicide and missing persons bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 3205.

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