EDSON – On the second anniversary of the disappearance of local couple Lyle and Marie McCann, the man accused of their killing appeared in court again Tuesday.
Travis Edward Vader appeared through his lawyer and adjourned his case until Aug. 7. Vader was charged with murder April 23 in connection with the elderly couple’s death.
Through the court’s duty counsel, Vader’s lawyer Anna Konye said she was still being provided with disclosure in the case and was not ready to enter a plea or set a trial date.
Media reports last week indicated officers had conducted several searches in rural areas east of Edson, in connection with the couple’s disappearance, but RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Shawn LeMay declined to confirm those reports on Tuesday. He said the RCMP has many active investigations, including the McCanns’ disappearance and often conducts searches in conjunction with those investigations.
The McCanns disappeared on July 3, 2010 after leaving St. Albert in a recreational vehicle bound for a vacation in British Columbia. The burnt-out shell of their motorhome was found July 5, but a missing person’s investigation did not begin until July 10, when they failed to arrive to meet family in British Columbia.
The couple’s SUV, which they were towing behind the RV, was found several weeks later at the same time as Vader was named a person of interest. Vader has been in custody since that time on unrelated charges.
The family raised a $60,000 reward that remains in place with Crime Stoppers. Anyone with any information on the case is asked to call 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700.
