A psychological risk assessment done earlier this year found that Travis Vader had a high risk of violnece in the future if released without management and planning, according to parole documents released this week,
On Dec. 12, 2024, convicted killer Travis Vader was denied day parole for the disappearance and deaths of Lyle and Marie McCann. The Gazette has obtained documents detailing the decision by the Parole Board of Canada, which outlines concerns regarding Vader's ability to reintegrate into society and his risk of reoffending if released.
Vader is currently serving a life sentence for manslaughter, since his conviction in 2017 for killing the McCanns, who disappeared in July 2010. Their bodies have never been found.
A psychological risk assessment that was done in September 2024 found that Vader's "risk of future violence is relatively high in the long term, in particular, if you are released to the community without further interventions and adequate planning to manage your risk factors. The psychologist was of the opinion that your risk can not be effectively managed in the community." While out on bail for the index offence, Vader was "convicted of assault and charged with several other offences that did not result in conviction."
Overall, the Board found that Vader would present an "undue risk to society if released," leading to his denial of day parole. Vader's full parole hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 2025.
Vader continues to deny having any involvement in their deaths, or any knowledge of where their remains are located, something the Board took into heavy consideration when making their decision, while acknowledging that an admission is not a requirement to be released.
"Your continued denial of responsibility and refusal to disclose the location of the victims' bodies has only served to compound the harm you caused," the decision documents state. They continue on, saying that Vader's Case Management Team (CMT) has said that he has "increased your awareness into the harm that your drug dealing, manufacturing, and trafficking have caused on potential victims. You expressed feelings of shame and guilt for your involvement in these activities and your criminal lifestyle; however, you continue to deny responsibility for the index offence."
In an impact statement read the day of the hearing, the McCann's son Bret McCann said "It is critical for Vader’s rehabilitation that he admit to having committed the murder of my parents. This would be a prerequisite to any possibility of him ever being able to become a part of normal society again." McCann is an advocate of a "no body, no parole" law to be adopted in Canada, like there is in Australia.
The board looked into various concerns with Vader's time before the offence and the time he spent incarcerated, including drug addiction, and an inability to regulate his emotions.
"You had some adjustment issues and were involved in the institutional drug subculture during your time on remand awaiting sentencing for the index offence," the documents stated. "These charges related to your involvement in the drug subculture, refusing to lock up, inciting the unit, and disrespecting and verbally abusing staff. Four out of your 14 urinalysis tests returned positive for drugs, with the most recent being in 2019."
Vader also admitted to past use of methamphetamines during the hearing, "contrary to some file information suggesting you deny ever having used methamphetamines," according to the decision documents.
It was also found that Vader was unable to regulate his emotions well, stating that he was "often confrontational or argumentative with staff, engaged in manipulative behaviours, blamed others, took a victim stance when challenged, and required numerous interventions to address your behaviours."
Vader, who is a Métis man, reportedly "spoke at length about the progress you have made through your engagement in culture, ceremony, and work with Elders. You attribute a good portion of your healing has been through your efforts to reconnect with culture and ceremony." The Board said it was apparent that he benefited from teachings he received from his grandfather about his culture. They also took into account details of childhood experiences related to extreme trauma and physical and mental abuse suffered by Vader from "various individuals."
