EDMONTON – A murder trial has heard that two Alberta seniors who disappeared almost six years ago were active and in good health.
“She was in very good shape for someone her age,” Bret McCann said in court Tuesday. He said his mother had arthritis and her memory was starting to slip a bit.
He said his father had an angioplasty but it didn’t affect their travel.
“He was in great shape.”
Bret said he and his wife visited his parents, who were in their late 70s, on evening of July 2, the night before they were scheduled to leave for their B.C. camping holiday.
WATCH: Bret McCann on Travis Vader going to trial for murder of his parents
He says their motorhome was their pride and joy, and they were avid campers.
Lyle and Marie McCann were last seen fuelling up their RV in their hometown of St. Albert, north of Edmonton, on July 3, 2010.
READ MORE: Court hears burned McCann motorhome moved 3 times before investigator called in
The vehicle was found on fire and an SUV they had been towing was discovered in the bush west of Edmonton in the days that followed.
Travis Vader has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
READ MORE: ‘I plead not guilty to that charge’: Travis Vader at start of McCann murder trial
Bret paused during his testimony Tuesday when he spoke about selling his parents’ house.
“After they went missing… we kept their house for a year, then decided to sell their house.”
Bret testified about his father’s driving habits.
“Dad was a pretty careful driver,” he said. “He’d want to put in a full day of driving.”
Bret said his dad kept his vehicles in good condition and did the maintenance himself.
“It was his pride and joy,” he said of their motorhome.
Bret is back on stand Tuesday afternoon.
With files from The Canadian Press