Wednesday, Sep 15, 2010 06:00 am

By: Ryan Tumilty

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RCMP have concluded a search of a rural property in the Edson area in connection with the investigation into the disappearance of a St. Albert couple.

The site is located near the small community of Nojack, east of Edson, just off Highway 16.

Police began their search of the property on Friday and it primarily wrapped up on Sunday. The RCMP called in a dive team on Tuesday to search a small pond on the site.

Sgt. Tim Taniguchi with the RCMP said Tuesday afternoon that officers were wrapping up the search of the site and were preparing to leave.

He said the RCMP wanted to do a complete search before moving on.

"It is only prudent to the conduct of a thorough investigation to search this pond."

Lyle and Marie McCann have been missing since July 3. The couple, who are in their 70s, left St. Albert in their motorhome, bound for a vacation in B.C. but were reported missing on July 10 when they failed to arrive in Abbotsford.

Their motorhome had been found burned out several days earlier on July 5 near Edson and police made an unsuccessful attempt to contact the couple.

Police found an SUV the couple was towing on July 16, also near Edson and identified a person of interest, Travis Edward Vader, who they arrested on July 19 on unrelated charges.

Vader, who remains behind bars, has since been labelled a suspect in the case, indicating he was likely involved in their disappearance. He has not been charged.

Taniguchi said the search has been conducted in conjunction with a search warrant and was one of several the RCMP have done while searching for the McCanns.

He emphasized the search was just another step forward in the investigation.

"This search is one of many that we have completed in this investigation."

Bret McCann, the couple's son, said the family is taking the search as a positive sign the police are still making progress in the case.

"I am hopeful that in the end they will find my parents and put an end to this."

He said waiting for news has been intolerable and the whole family just wants answers about what happened.

"We need closure here one way or another," he said. "This whole summer has been a nightmare. It just seems to be never ending."

The family announced last week that there would be a $60,000 reward for information in the case, which can be accessed through Crime Stoppers.

The police are looking for anyone who might have seen the McCanns or Travis Edward Vader, especially between July 3 and July 16. They are also looking for anyone who saw the SUV or the motorhome or has any information about the case.

Their motorhome was a green and white model and it was towing a light green Hyundai Tucson with Alberta licence plate ZPK-289.

Anyone with that information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700.