2010-07-24 Multiple sightings of Vader in a Hyundai? | CTV Edmonton News

Published by Bretton McCann, July 24th, 2010

Multiple sightings of Vader in a Hyundai?

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Published Saturday, July 24, 2010 10:57AM MDT

Those who live in the area where Travis Vader was arrested say there were multiple sightings of Vader in a Hyundai, the same make of vehicle that belonged to a St. Albert couple who has been missing for the past 20 days.

It appears the questioning of Travis Vader is now over at the Edson RCMP detachment. Investigators confirm the person of interest in the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann has been transferred to Edmonton's Remand Centre.

Twenty days have gone by and there is still no sign of Lyle and Marie McCann.

Photos

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, just outside Edmonton, were reported missing by their family on July 10, two days after they were due to meet their daughter in Abbotsford, B.C.

Lyle and Marie McCann's Hyundai Tucson is pictured in this undated family handout photo.

CTV News has heard the same story from multiple sources in the small town of Peers, Alta. They say Vader showed up in the small town last week to a certain residence and was driving a Hyundai.

The man who lives at the home is known locally as 'Bandana Dave,' a friend of Vader who continues to deny that the man was ever in the small town.

CTV News has also been told that Vader was in the company of a female, described as his girlfriend.

The RCMP have wrapped up their search of the Nojack recreation area and ribbons now show which area have been checked. Officers have also left the property where Vader was arrested Monday morning on charges unrelated to the couple's disappearance.

The couple left for Chilliwack, B.C. on July 3, 2010 and have not been seen or heard from since.

Police are still trying to piece together clues that may lead them to the missing couple.

The McCann's burned-out motor home was found on July 5th near the Minnow Lake campground approximately 35 kilometres southeast of Edson. On July 16th, their green Hyundai SUV was located deep in the bush about 30 kilometres east of Edson near Carrot Creek.

During the course of the investigation, RCMP and law enforcement officials received more than 130 tips on the whereabouts of Vader and more than 170 tips on the couple and the location of their vehicles.

RCMP say they have no comment about the reports surfacing in the Town of Peers.

Police still would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the McCann's 2006 Hyundai Tucson, licence plate ZPK 289, during the period of July 5th to the 16th.

Vader was expected to make his first appearance in court Tuesday morning, but his lawyer appeared instead.

Vader, along with an unnamed man, was arrested Monday following an early morning raid at a rural residence near Niton Junction. The unnamed man has since been released from custody and has not been charged. Police have not released the individual's name.

Vader's lawyer told court that he no longer wanted to represent him Vader was scheduled to appear in Edson court to speak to the charge of possession of stolen property, which was laid last November.

The judge allowed the lawyer to go speak with his client at the Edson RCMP detachment before being let off the case.

Police say Vader is scheduled to appear in an Edmonton courtroom on July 27 to answer to the warrants he was picked up on unrelated to the McCann investigation.

A vigil for Lyle and Marie McCann will be held this Saturday at St. Albert Place. It begins at 7 p.m.

With files from David Ewasuk