Travis Vader, killer of Lyle and Marie McCann, denied day parole

The man who killed an Alberta couple in 2010 has been denied day parole.

In a decision on Thursday, the Parole Board of Canada found Vader has not been accountable for his role in the killings.

"Your risk to the public would be undue at this point in your sentence," the decision said.

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Travis Vader was sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann after a trial in 2016.

The couple was killed while driving from St. Albert, just outside of Edmonton, to B.C.

Their motorhome and an SUV they were towing were found burned out in a bush.

Their bodies have never been found.

Vader's fingerprints and DNA were found in the SUV belonging to the McCanns, but he has denied any involvement in their deaths.

Brett McCann, the son of Lyle and Marie, spoke at the hearing.

"On July 3, 2010, Travis Vader killed my parents," he told the parole board.

"Our pain is everlasting. I will never forget, or forgive, what Vader has done."

McCann says Vader has never shown remorse in the death of his parents.

"Vader did not testify in his trial, and he denied any involvement in several press interviews over the years prior to his conviction. He, in fact, continually insulted their memory by his conduct towards our family," he said.

"It is critical for Vader’s rehabilitation that he admit to having committed the murder of my parents.

"As part of this admission, Vader also needs to provide authorities with the location of my parent’s remains. It is very important to myself, and my family, that my parents’ remains be located and buried properly."

Vader also addressed the board, thanking them for being there and for helping to identify what he needs to do to move forward.

"My main reason for being here is to gain insight," he said.

"Give me something to accomplish. I am good at that."

He said he'd suffered a traumatic childhood and had used drugs and turned to crime as a way to cope and had previously been convicted of various crimes.

Vader also admitted to using drugs while incarcerated for the deaths of the McCanns and to attempting to incite violence at the prison.

He reiterated that he did not kill the McCanns and said he does not know where their bodies are located.

McCann spoke to CTV News Edmonton at the end of the hearing, sharing the anxiety he felt through the process.

"I wasn't sure which way was going to go, but I think they did the right thing," he commented.

"Whatever happens here, it'll never make up for the loss of my parents."

Despite the small victory on Thursday, McCann says the fight isn't over.

"He can reapply for day parole in a year," he said.

"This will be an ongoing thing, but at least we're getting we're now more familiar with the process, and we can participate and have our say in the future." 

With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk