The only named suspect in the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann was denied bail Friday afternoon and will remain in custody, but he still has not faced charges relating to the St. Albert couple's disappearance.
Travis Vader had a bail review in the Court of Queen's Bench before Justice Don Lee.
The details of the argument are covered under a publication ban but Vader, through his lawyer John Sinclair, was seeking to have Lee overturn the decisions of two provincial court judges.
Vader has not been charged with any offence relating to Lyle and Marie’s case, but the RCMP have so far identified him and only him as a suspect in couple’s disappearance last July.
Brett McCann, the couple's son, was on hand for the appearance. He said he was relieved to see Vader held without bail.
“We understand that he is being held on charges that are unrelated to my parents' case, but he is, from all accounts we hear, quite a dangerous man,” McCann said. “I am relieved from our point of view and from the public's point of view that he will be staying in the Edmonton Remand Centre.”
Vader was not in court and McCann said the family was somewhat disappointed, as they had hoped to see him and have him see them and their grief.
“I would like to have a look at him and to take a measure of a man, McCann said. “Maybe that would have some impact on him, to see us and realize what pain we are going through.”
McCann said his family is simply desperate for answers in the case and wants some form of closure.
“We are doing fine. We have come to accept that something awful and terrible did happen to my parents,” he said. “We just need to know what happened to my parents.”
McCann emphasized there remains a $60,000 reward through Crime Stoppers for any information that leads to a conviction in the case.
Vader has been considered a person of interest since mid-July and was arrested on unrelated charges July 19.
The McCanns, an elderly St. Albert couple, were last seen leaving the city in their motorhome on July 3 for a vacation in B.C. They were reported missing on July 10 when they failed to arrive, several days after their burned out motorhome was found near Edson.
Vader still faces several outstanding charges and will likely be in custody for several more months until those charges are dealt with.
McCann said he believes having Vader released would not have any impact on the police investigation.
“My impression is it wouldn't have influenced them one way or the other.”
Anyone with any information is still asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Albert RCMP 780-458-7700.
To claim the larger reward, a caller must identify themselves to police, but rewards of up to $2,000 can be obtained anonymously.
