2010-08-10 RCMP conduct second probe of area as part of McCann investigation | CTV Edmonton News


RCMP conduct second probe of area as part of McCann investigation



Laura Tupper, ctvedmonton.ca

Published Tuesday, August 10, 2010 6:00PM MDT

Police have conducted another search near a campground in the Edson area, as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann.

Yellow tape now surrounds the bush in the area near the Minnow Lake campground. The missing couple's burnt-out motor home was found at a remote site in the campground shortly after they were reported missing.

Tuesday afternoon, Brett McCann visited the area near where RCMP have been searching in his quest to learn more about the area in the event family members are allowed to proceed with their own search.

Photos

Vader; McCann; RCMP; Niton J

Travis Edward Vader, who has been identified as a person of interest by the RCMP in the McCann investigation on Friday, July 16, 2010, is seen in this undated RCMP handout photo.

Lyle and Marie McCann of St. Albert left July 3rd for Chilliwack, B.C. and have not bee seen or heard from since.

"My parents met somebody and it's a mystery as to why", McCann told CTV News.

"My dad has driven this route thousands of times," he added.

Earlier in the day, the McCanns were at an Edmonton courtroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man police have identified as a person of interest in the case. But they left court disappointed, after Travis Vader's court date was rescheduled. Vader was scheduled to appear in court on other charges, not connected to the McCann case." It is a little anti-climactic. We hoped to see him," said Bret McCann, outside the courthouse.

He added he'd hoped the sight of worried family members would present a silent plea to Vader.

It's been more than a month since the McCann's went missing during a road trip from their home in St. Albert to B.C.

RCMP suspect foul play in their disappearance. They have identified Vader as a person of interest in their investigation, but he isn't being called a suspect. Vader is from the Niton Junction area. The McCann's SUV was found near that community and their burned-out motor home was also located in the area about 90 minutes west of Edmonton.

So far, the RCMP have advised the family against a civilian ground search but if they get the green light, the McCanns want to be prepared.

"We were looking, sort of talking about where potential sites might be or who are the people who do indeed know the area," Brett said.

A trust fund has been set up for anyone interested in making a donation to help with a future search. It is set up at TD Canada Trust under the name "Bret McCann in trust".

With files from CTV's Bill Fortier.

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