Two weeks after Lyle and Marie McCann disappeared, RCMP had their oldest son record a personal plea to the man now accused of their murders.

Bret McCann testified Tuesday he and police  had hoped to appeal to Travis Vader's "better nature."

The contents of that plea have never before been made public.

According to the transcript of the recorded statement, McCann said his parents had been missing for two weeks.

"I understand that you may have some information as to their whereabouts," his statement said.

In an apparent reference to Vader's troubles with drug addiction and the law, McCann wrote: "Travis, I know that you're younger than me but I know that you have children of your own, and at one point you had a really nice family life. I know that you ran into some troubles but I know that deep down you're a decent man." 

"Please, if you have any information as to ... you know where my parents might be, please tell the police. I know you're a decent man and please, Travis ... please just tell us."

McCann said he had received messages from Vader's sister and other people in Vader's family. Vader's lawyer, Brian Beresh, challenged McCann on that point.  

With his arms crossed during the often hostile cross-examination, McCann said, "I know I got a Facebook message from his son or somebody claiming to be his son."

'If I said I did, I must have'

McCann said he thought he also received a message from Vader's sister, Bobbi-Jo, but couldn't recall what the message was. Beresh suggested he never received a message from Vader's sister.  

"Well, if I said I did, I must have," McCann testified.

Beresh responded: "Mr. McCann, I'm not trying to fight with you, OK? I'm just trying to get the facts."

Bret McCann, 61, was the last family member to see his parents alive in July 2010. He has been the designated family spokesperson, and was the executor of their estate.

In direct examination, McCann told the court about the last time he saw his parents. They were planning to leave early in the morning on Saturday, July 3, 2010, on a road trip to British Columbia. The day before, Marie McCann checked out some garage sales with her daughter-in-law, Mary-Ann, Brent's wife.  

Bret McCann said he went to his parents' St. Albert home after work that Friday and he and his father played pool.  

McCann said his father was in good spirits.

"He was feeling good and seemed just fine to me," McCann testified. "They were looking forward to their trip."

That evening, the two couples ate some Kentucky Fried chicken, then talked about the upcoming road trip.

McCann said he hasn't seen or heard from his parents since that night.

In testimony Tuesday, McCann described his parent's habits and their health.  

Lyle McCann worked as a long-haul trucker until age 75. His son estimated he drove about 3,000 miles every week for 40 years.  

McCann said his father was "a very careful driver who always followed the speed limit." He described going on road trips with his family as a teenager. His father always drove and had a carefully mapped out route that included few stops.

His parents' motorhome was his father's "pride and joy," McCann said, meticulously cared for inside and out so that it always looked like new.

Two days after the McCanns set out from St. Albert, their motorhome was found on fire at a remote campground south of Edson. The trial has heard there was no evidence of human remains inside the burned out shell.

​The cross-examination of Bret McCann will continue Wednesday.

​janice.johnston@cbc.ca

@cbcjanjohnston