2016-12-12 Bret McCann: 'Travis Vader, where are the bodies of my parents?' | Edmonton Journal
Published by Bretton McCann,
Bret McCann: 'Travis Vader, where are the bodies of my parents?'
When Lyle and Marie McCann’s son finally had the chance to speak in court, more than six years after the disappearance of his elderly parents from St. Albert, it was to plead for answers.
While delivering a victim impact statement on the opening day of Travis Vader’s sentencing hearing, Bret McCann spoke directly to the man convicted of manslaughter in his elderly parents’ 2010 disappearance.
"Travis Vader, where are the bodies of my parents?" he asked.
Vader, 44, was found guilty of manslaughter on Oct. 31. The conviction came after a lengthy police investigation and subsequent court process that followed the McCanns’ disappearance.
The McCanns went missing on July 3, 2010, while driving to B.C. for a family camping holiday. Two days later, their motorhome was found ablaze at a campground near Edson and the SUV they were towing was discovered on July 16, 2010 abandoned in the woods.
Their bodies have never been found.
In opening remarks at the start of the hearing, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas revealed that the Crown is seeking two life sentences.
The defence will argue for four to six years to be served concurrently.
While handing down the manslaughter conviction, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas told Vader that he was vacating his second-degree murder convictions based on a legal "error" made in his earlier verdict and then said he was finding him guilty of the lesser and included offences of manslaughter.
Vader was convicted despite arguments for a mistrial by his defence lawyer.
McCann’s statement in court was one of 10 entered in the hearing on Monday morning. McCann’s wife Mary-Ann also spoke, as did his cousin and other relatives. The statements ranged from fond memories of warm, loving grandparents, to revelations of the pain, grief and anxiety that has plagued the family since the disappearance.
McCann began his statement by displaying photos of his own grandchildren, who will never know their great-grandparents. He said he wanted to make the loss of that relationship clear to Thomas.
Throughout the proceedings, Vader sat in the prisoner’s box, looking on with an unchanging, neutral expression.
After the 10 statements were entered, Thomas adjourned the hearing until Tuesday morning. During his opening remarks, he requested that the Crown make submissions about whether the sentence should be served consecutively or concurrently. The hearing will resume Tuesday morning, and is scheduled to continue until Friday.
Speaking outside the courthouse following the morning’s proceedings, McCann said his family supports the Crown’s efforts to seek a life sentence, and called the sentence Vader’s defence lawyer is arguing for "absurd."
He also said he would never "forgive and forget" what Vader did. However, when asked if Vader telling the family where the bodies are would change that, he said it would.
"If he were to stand up and say what happened to my parents, I could say that I forgive him," McCann said.
However, he said it seems unlikely to happen.
"Vader has showed no sign of acknowledging that he caused the death of my parents. He shows no remorse for what he has done," McCann said.
McCann said being able to deliver his statement in court was almost "therapeutic," acknowledging it came after a sleepless night.
He spoke of a recurring nightmare, where he imagines one of his parents being killed while the other watches.
"I can’t get that vision out of my head."
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