EDMONTON – A preliminary hearing has been set for a man accused of first-degree murder in the deaths of an Edmonton-area couple.
Lyle and Marie McCann of St. Albert disappeared in July 2010 while on their way to a family gathering in British Columbia.
Travis Vader’s preliminary is to be held in provincial court in Stony Plain, Alta., between Sept. 9 and Oct. 25 of next year.
Neither Vader nor his lawyer appeared in court in Edson when the dates were set.
Global News
takes a look back at the events since the couple was last seen.
July 3, 2010: The
McCanns are last seen on a surveillance camera purchasing gas in St. Albert at
the St. Albert Gas Bar at 9:25 a.m.
July 5, 2010: The
couple’s motorhome is found engulfed in flames near the Minnow Lake campground,
southeast of Edson. There is no record of the couple staying the campground.
July 10, 2010:
Family members report the McCanns missing.
Police begin their search of a 259-kilometre area. They
begin interviewing witnesses and search the McCanns’ cellphone records and bank
statements.
The police search includes helicopters and search dogs.
July 11, 2010:
The family start a Facebook page asking for the public’s help in finding the
couple. As of July 14, the group has over 5,500 members.
July 13, 2010:
Police begin a ground search of the area where the McCanns’ motorhome was
found.
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The RCMP issue a call for the public’s help in locating
Marie and Lyle McCann. Two tipsters tell police they spotted an SUV matching
the description of the McCann’s vehicle.
July 14, 2010:
RCMP wrap up their search of the area where the McCanns’ motorhome was found,
near Edson, Alberta.
RCMP continue to search for the couple’s missing SUV, a
light green Hyundai Tucson, licence
plate ZPK 289.
July 15, 2010: Police
make a plea for help from the public and receive over 80 tips. They begin
following leads and interviewing tipsters. According to RCMP, the light green
missing Hyundai Tucson is spotted in Prince George, B.C.
Police release surveillance video of Lyle McCann to the
public. Police say they have identified a “person of interest.” Police describe
Travis Edward Vader as dangerous and say they are trying to locate him.
July 16, 2010:
Authorities find McCann’s missing SUV. Investigators are on site and a forensic
examination is underway. The location is not released.
July 19, 2010:
Edmonton RCMP Emergency Response Team arrest Vader on outstanding warrants
without incident at rural residence near Niton Junction.
Police state they have arrested a second man at the house
where Vader was arrested. The second man’s name is not released, and police do
not state how the man is connected to Vader.
After a three-day manhunt, police search the home where
fugitive Vader was arrested.
July 20, 2010:
Police release the second man arrested with Vader. No charges are laid.
Vader remains in custody on three unrelated posession of
stolen property charges. He is expected to appear in an Edson courtroom, but
his lawyer appears instead and asks to be taken off the case.
July 22, 2010:
RCMP search an Alberta campground, a few kilometres from where Vader was
arrested.
July 24, 2010:
A candlelight vigil is held for the missing couple.
July 27, 2010:
Vader appears in an Edmonton courtroom on unrelated charges.
August 31, 2010:
RCMP confirm that Vader is an official suspect in the disappearance of Lyle and
Marie McCann.
September 10, 2010:RCMP search a rural property southwest of Nojack, Alberta.
September 13, 2010:
RCMP announce they will send a dive team to search a small body of water as
part of their investigation.
September 15, 2010:
The dive search comes to an end. No human remains are found.
November 19, 2010:
Family members call off search for Lyle and Marie McCann due to snowy
conditions. Bret McCann says the snow makes it virtually impossible to continue
the ground search but says it will resume in the spring.
June 26, 2011:
Almost one year since the McCanns have disappeared, a civilian crew spends their day navigating rough terrains, searching for anything out of the
ordinary.
July 27,
2011: An Edmonton
court grants an order declaring Lyle and Marie McCann dead in order for the family to start
processing wills and deal with the estate
July 30,
2011: Family members hold a memorial
service for Lyle and Marie McCann.
December 22, 2011:
Vader is sentenced to crimes unrelated to the McCann case. After time served,
Vader will just serve one more day in prison.
February 15, 2012: Reports
state Vader will remain in custody while he awaits trial on outstanding charges
related to alleged stolen property, driving and weapons offences.
April 5, 2012: Vader’s
lawyer says his client should not be convicted of drug and
firearm offences based on the testimony of drug-addicted witnesses.
April 23, 2012: RCMP charge Vader with first-degree murder in the deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann.
He will make his first court appearance in Edson, Alta., on May 15.
May 15, 2012: Vader’s trial is put over until June 5th at 11am. At that time, he
will appear via video conference. Vader is in the process of retaining a
lawyer, and is now being escorted back to the Edmonton Remand Centre.
July 3, 2012: Two years after his parents disappeared from a campground southeast of
Edson, Bret McCann says it’s been a “nightmare” for his family, but
they’ve adjusted.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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