Reports: RCMP arrest Travis Vader in Barrhead on assault charges

Barrhead RCMP have confirmed to media outlets that the man accused of killing a St. Albert elderly couple is facing new, unrelated charges.

Reports say Travis Vader was arrested in Barrhead after a domestic assault allegation, involving Vader’s common-law wife, was made over the weekend.

Vader was arrested and charged with assault. Reports say he appeared in court on Wednesday, and was denied bail.

Vader, 42, is facing two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly killing Lyle McCann, 78, and his 77-year-old wife Marie. The seniors were last seen on July 3, 2010, fuelling up their motorhome in St. Albert while on their way to Chilliwack, B.C., for a vacation.

Two days later, their RV was found engulfed in flames near the Minnow Lake campground, 20 km east of Edson. The SUV they were towing was discovered six days later in a remote wooded area near Carrot Creek, 30 km east of Edson. Their bodies have yet to be recovered, although RCMP declared them dead and presumed murdered.

First-degree murder charges relating to the McCanns were stayed against Vader on March 19, 2014, however they were relaid on Dec. 19. He was arrested again at the time and taken into custody, but was released and placed on house arrest following a Dec. 23 court appearance.

His trial on the McCann charges is set for 2016.

-- Edmonton Sun