EDSON — A lawyer for a man considered a person of interest in the disappearance of a missing Alberta couple has quit.
Travis Edward Vader, 38, was to appear in provincial court in Edson, Alta., on Tuesday on three charges of possession of stolen property. The charges are among numerous others he faces that are unrelated to the case of Lyle and Marie McCann, who vanished more than two weeks ago.
Lawyer Brad Thomlinson showed up instead and told the judge he no longer wanted to represent Vader. He said his client had already missed several court dates and was very difficult to reach.
The judge granted Thomlinson’s request and set a court date of Aug. 3 for Vader to appear with a new lawyer.
No charges were laid against another man who was arrested Monday along with Vader at a rural home in the Edson area. Police said the individual, whom they didn’t name, was released from custody.
Police believe Vader may have information about the McCanns, who were travelling to British Columbia from their home in St. Albert, just north of Edmonton, earlier this month to meet family. The couple, both in their 70s, haven’t been seen since surveillance caught them filling their motor home at a gas station in their home town July 3.
The motor home was found burned out in dense bush near Edson two days later. An SUV the McCanns were towing was later located off a bush trail about 30 kilometres east of Edson.
The charges Vader faces include arson, a long list of thefts and three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm. He also faces charges for breaching bail conditions and not showing up for court dates.
Sgt. Tim Taniguchi of the RCMP explained that the charges are spread out across several communities and Vader will have to be moved to each venue as court dates come up.
Vader was still in jail in Edson on Tuesday, although Taniguchi said the plan was to keep him in custody and move him to Edmonton for a July 27 appearance. The police spokesman didn’t know when he might be transferred.
He said he did not know if there would be an application to have all the charges consolidated in one location.
Police received more than 130 tips on Vader’s whereabouts and 170-plus tips on the McCanns and their vehicles. Investigators still want to hear from anyone who may have seen the couple’s light-green 2006 Hyundai Tucson SUV between July 5 and 16.
The wait for any new information since Vader’s arrest has been agonizing for members of the McCann family.
“We’re anxious, obviously, but we’re very optimistic that police are talking to (Vader) and he’s going to provide information to them as to where my parents are,” said Bret McCann, 58.
He said it’s been difficult to tear himself away from the telephone in case there’s any news, but he took a yoga class Tuesday morning to try to take his mind off what has become an excruciating waiting game.
McCann admits that his nerves are on edge and every time the phone rings, a kind of electric jolt goes through his body.
“The best case is that (Vader) knows, or somebody in his circle, has information as to where my parents are. There’s all kinds of scenarios, but we’re keeping hopeful that he’ll provide the police with that information.”
McCann has held on to one constant thought since the family realized his parents were missing.
“My dad is pretty resourceful so we’re confident and very hopeful that no matter where he is, he’s looking after things, taking care of himself and mom.”
Nicole Walshe, 31, has been sitting with family members, looking through photo albums and reminiscing about her grandparents.
Little things remind her of them. She says she waved goodbye to an aunt earlier this week and immediately remembered her grandmother’s habit of racing to the bay window in their home and waving to relatives as they drove away.
“Even today I went to Safeway to grab some bread and there were butter tarts there. My grandma makes the best butter tarts,” said Walshe. “You have these constant reminders all the time all over the place that just bring a smile to your face.”
The family continues to put its energy into a Facebook page dedicated to finding the two seniors. It features messages of encouragement and support from thousands of people. The social networking site has been used to encourage Canadians to turn their porch lights on as a sign of hope that the missing couple will be found.
“It’s a very painful process waiting. You have a real sense of anxiety. But we just keep trying to re-harness it into (something) positive,” Walshe said.
—With files from Lisa Arrowsmith in Edmonton