Family, friends and supporters of Lyle and Marie McCann will gather this evening for a candlelight vigil for the missing couple.
The one-hour vigil begins at 7 p.m. at St. Albert Place Saturday night, in support of the McCanns, who were last seen in St. Albert three weeks ago.
Nicole Walshe, the couple’s granddaughter, said her grandparents’ neighbours suggested the vigil as a way to show support for the pair.
“We are calling it the candlelight vigil of hope.”
Walshe said anyone who would like to show their support can come to the vigil, where candles will be provided. People are also to show their support even if they can’t make it to the vigil.
“If they are unable to join us at the vigil of hope they can turn a porch light or leave their candle on at home,” she said.
The investigation into the McCanns’ disappearance continued this week. Police searched a campground near Nojack, close to the location where they arrested a person of interest in the case on Monday.
The McCanns left St. Albert on July 3 and were spotted that morning filling up their motorhome at the Superstore Gas Bar on St. Albert Trail.
They were bound for a vacation in British Columbia and were supposed to meet a daughter in Abbotsford on July 10, but never arrived and were reported missing that same day.
The couple’s motorhome had been found several days prior on July 5 near Edson, completely burned by fire.
The RCMP has been appealing to anyone who might have seen the McCanns, their motorhome or the SUV they were towing to come forward with information.
Travis Edward Vader, 38, the man police identified as a person of interest in the case, was arrested in Niton Junction on Monday morning on a number of outstanding warrants. The couple’s SUV was found on July 16 in a wooded area just off Highway 16, also near Edson.
RCMP spokesman Sgt. Tim Taniguchi said the appeal for public assistance applies despite taking Vader into custody. He said tips have slowed in the past few days, but are still coming in.
“It has gone down now, from yesterday there were about 200 tips on Vader. Previously it was about 170. And, general tips on the McCanns are at about 150, and it was previously reported at about 130.”
Taniguchi had little to say about the investigation, including what led police to Vader as a person of interest or what, if anything, he told investigators.
“That would be part of the investigation itself and [publicizing that] would risk the integrity of the investigation.”
Anyone who might have seen the couple’s SUV between July 3 and when it was discovered is asked to contact police. The vehicle is a Hyundai Tucson, light green in colour with an Alberta licence plate ZPK-289.
People can contact either Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the St. Albert RCMP 780-458-7700.
