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The only person the RCMP have ever identified as a suspect in the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann has now been charged with two counts of first degree murder in their deaths.

The elderly couple from St. Albert vanished in July of 2010. Last year, Mounties said they believed the McCanns had been murdered, even though their bodies have never been found.

Forty-year-old Vader was arrested at the Edmonton Remand Centre where he was being held on unrelated charges. Police said new information led them to arrest and charge Vader.

Photos

Travis Vader arrives at the courthouse on Monday, April 2.

The portrait of Lyle and Marie McCann at their memorial service at the St. Albert Catholic Church, in St. Albert, Alta., on Saturday, July 30, 2011. (John Ulan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

"There's information that has surfaced through the course of the investigation that has brought us to a position that we could both arrest and charge Mr. Vader in connection to these deaths," Staff Sgt. Shawn LeMay said Monday.

Nearly two years ago, the couple left in their motorhome on vacation to B.C.

Two days later, the motorhome was found burned at the Minnow Lake campground east of Edmonton and the vehicle they were towing was found abandoned several kilometres away near Carrot Creek.

The family of the elderly couple has put forth a $60,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the discovery of the couple.

The couple's son said the arrest is a step closer to closure for the family.

"We've waited a long time for this arrest and we're looking at this arrest as bringing us one step closer to finding out what happened to my parents," Bret McCann said. "There's still the whole issue of finding my parents and we're still hopeful that they can be found and we're still asking for the public's support in helping us find our parents."

When asked what happened to the McCann's, LeMay answered: "Those questions will be answered in due course through the court process."

Vader has pleaded not guilty to nearly a dozen charges not related to the disappearance of the elderly couple, including firearms and property-related offenses, stemming from incidents around the Barrhead area in June of 2010.

The RCMP say Vader has been remanded in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.

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