St. Albert couple's SUV found

Investigators have now found the missing light green SUV belonging to Lyle and Marie McCann, as RCMP identified Travis Edward Vader as a “person of interest” in the case.

Police revealed Friday evening the St. Albert couple's Hyundai Tucson was located approximately 30 kilometres east of Edson, near Carrot Creek. Forsenic investigators are now at the site, examining the vehicle.

RCMP Sgt. Tim Taniguchi said, "The area around the vehicle is considered a crime scene — how big that area is, we can't say right now... It's too early to say what condition the vehicle is in or if the McCanns are somewhere nearby."

The McCanns were last seen refuelling their motorhome July 3 at about 9:30 AM at a Superstore gas bar in St. Albert, just northwest of Edmonton. They vanished while driving to B.C. to meet up with their daughter. The couple's motorhome was found on fire southeast of Edson on July 5, but the Tucson the McCanns had been pulling behind the motorhome had disappeared.

"We don't believe any particular (scenario), but we suspect foul play. Everybody can draw their own conclusions," Assistant Commissioner Peter Hourihan told reporters at a news conference Friday afternoon.

"This is completely out of character (for the couple) not to have contacted their daughter...and arrived on time. We assume the worst and hope for the best."

Police described Vader as dangerous, and that members of the public should not approach him. Officers are in the process of trying to locate Vader.

"A person of interest might be a witness, it might be someone who becomes a suspect, it might be someone who becomes an accused. It is a person that we feel can provide us with information to further this investigation." said Hourihan said at the news conference, adding that Vader became a person of interest in the past 24 hours.

According to B.C. court documents, Vader faced several charges in January 2009 in the northeastern city of Fort Nelson, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, resisting or obstructing a peace officer and mischief of $5,000 or under.

He also has a lengthy criminal record in Alberta, dating back to 1995 with 12 separate sets of charges, including careless use of a firearm, possession of stolen property and arson.

Vader, 38, is also a known drug dealer and has multiple outstanding warrants. His Facebook page says he's a Summerland, B.C. resident, with his occupation listed as a self-employed “drilling consultant.”

Vader's sister, Alicia, said that her family has not heard from Vader and does not expect to.

"Our hearts go out to the McCann family and we hope these developments lead to finding them," she said. "We can only hope and pray that he is just a person of interest at this point and that the McCann's will be found safe."

If you see Vader, police say you should not approach him, but instead, contact police or Crime Stoppers.

The McCanns' son Bret was not at Friday's news conference, but he spoke to Global News about the mixed feelings he has about the announcement.

"It's a bit scary that this bad guy seems to be involved...I'm just glad to see this progress. I consider it progress."

RCMP have received some criticism over their handling of the investigation. Police have revealed the McCanns' motorhome had been found five days before the couple was reported missing.

According to RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb, finding the motorhome did not result in an immediate investigation. Since vehicle thefts — even of motorhomes — are not uncommon, police did not investigate extensively. Webb says what was done next will be given particular scrutiny.

“There were some steps taken trying to get in contact with the registered owner,” said Webb. “This is what we’re looking into, what was done next and was it done adequately.”