WATCH: Reid Fiest provides an update on the missing person investigation.
CALGARY – Police were again scouring a piece of land north of Calgary on Tuesday, in hopes of finding a new lead in the case of a missing family.
Five-year-old Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents, Alvin and Kathryn Liknes, were reported missing on Monday, June 30th by Nathan’s mother.
Timeline: Missing Calgary family Nathan O’Brien, Alvin and Kathryn Liknes
She had shown up at the Liknes’ Parkhill home to pick up her son after a sleepover, but no one was home. Their mysterious disappearance sparked an Amber Alert.
On Monday, police gathered at a rural home near Airdrie for the third day in a row, scouring the area in their ongoing search for clues.
Police walked shoulder to shoulder as they focused on two areas, including a marshy pond with a dark-coloured SUV sitting nearby.
GALLERY: Officers spend a third day combing over a rural area near Airdrie
54-year-old Douglas Garland, who lives on the acreage, was taken into custody for questioning on Friday.
His parents own the land, and Global News has learned that Alvin Liknes’ son is married to Garland’s sister. A family member says Liknes and Garland also had a falling out several years ago, after a business deal ended badly.
Police have called him a person of interest.
Garland is no stranger to police; he served 39-months in a Federal prison in 2000 after being convicted of drug trafficking.
He appeared in court via CCTV on Monday for an unrelated charge of identity theft.
During his brief appearance, Garland told court he wished to speak to duty counsel. The matter has been put over until at least Wednesday.
Nathan O’Brien’s father Rod was in court for Garland’s appearance, but declined to comment.
A vigil for the missing family is planned for 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, at the Parkhill Community Centre.
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