Travis Vader guilty of second-degree murder in McCanns’ deaths

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EDMONTON, AB. (NEWS 1130) – A judge has found an Alberta man guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of two seniors who disappeared more than six years ago.

The judge told an Edmonton court he has concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Travis Vader killed Lyle and Marie McCann during a robbery. Justice Denny Thomas described it as a “crime of opportunity.”

Vader was initially charged with first-degree murder. But Thomas says there wasn’t enough evidence to conclude Vader had actually planned to kill the pair.

The Crown had argued the 44-year-old, who pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, was a crystal meth user living in a makeshift camp when he came across the McCanns’ and killed them.

The bodies of the McCanns’, both in their late 70s, have never been found, but Vader’s DNA and a fingerprint were found in their SUV. The vehicle and the couple’s burned-out motor home were discovered west of Edmonton days after the McCann’s vanished.

The defence contended that without evidence of human remains or a murder weapon, the Crown’s case was little more than a collection of theories and circumstantial evidence — suggesting there was no proof the two were even dead.

Vader’s lawyer says his client will appeal today’s decision.

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