CALGARY – The search of a rural property near Airdrie connected to the murder of Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes intensified Tuesday, with about 20 investigators raking the grounds on their hands and knees.
The property belongs to the parents of Douglas Garland, who’s been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of the Liknes’ and one count of second-degree murder in the death of O’Brien. The bodies have not been recovered.
Investigators are looking for evidence to support the upcoming court case, with the preliminary inquiry set to begin May 19.
Police have been on scene since Sunday, with RCMP officers guarding the entrance Tuesday morning. There were rakes against the house and a grid laid out by police tape as of Tuesday afternoon.
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Global News contacted the spokesperson for O’Brien’s parents, who had no comments to make on their behalf at this time.
Fifty-four-year-old Garland was living on the acreage just northeast of Airdrie that was meticulously searched by police last summer. He has been the sole person of interest in the case.
TIMELINE: Missing Calgary family Nathan O’Brien, Alvin and Kathryn Liknes
O’Brien and his grandparents were last seen June 29, 2014, before what police say was a violent incident in the Liknes home. The couple had been having an estate sale as they had bought a home in Edmonton, where they were planning to live after spending time in Mazatlan, Mexico. The sale was planned to help get rid of some of their belongings ahead of the move.
In mid-July, Garland was arrested and charged in connection to the murders.
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