McCanns' son elated by charges in 2010 disappearance

Bret McCann says that having murder charges laid in connection with the disappearance of his parents is "a significant step" toward learning what befell theelderly St. Albert, Alta., couplenearly two years ago.

RCMP have charged Travis Vader with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann, who disappeared while on a trip in 2010 and whose bodies have never been found.

Vader, who has been a suspect in the deaths since the McCanns' disappearance,is expectedto appear in court on May 15.

Their son called the development "exhilarating" when he spoke to reporters Monday afternoon.

"This is the perpetrator side of it,"Bret McCannadded.

"But we still don't know where our parents are."

He said the familyhas stopped searching for the couple,but pleaded for anyone with information that could help find them to come forward.

A $60,000 reward in the case still stands, he said.

Lyle, 78, and Marie, 77, were last seen alive on July 3, 2010, and were reported missing the same month.

The RCMP believes the couple was killed the day they were seen fuelling their motorhome in their home town of St. Albert, just north of Edmonton, before a trip to British Columbia.

Two days later, the couple's burned-out motorhome was found in a backwoods campground area near Edson, Alta.

An SUV they had been towing was discovered a few days later in heavy bush several kilometres away.

Vader 'relieved' to have day in court

Vader's lawyer, Daniel Mol, said the 40-year-old accused"is relieved to finally have an opportunity to face these accusations."

Vaderwas already in custody in Edmontonawaiting trial on outstanding charges related to alleged stolen property, driving and weapons offences unrelated to the disappearance of the McCanns.

"Understandably, the public has many questions about what happened to the McCanns," said RCMP Sgt. Shawn LeMay.

"Those questions will be answered in court."

The RCMP offered no comment on the case because it is going through the courts.