File # 2010-802651
2010-07-16 14:31 PDT

Edmonton, AB- The RCMP is requesting the public’s help in locating a person of interest in the McCann missing persons investigation. The public is asked to call police or Crimestoppers immediately if they have any information regarding the whereabouts of Travis Edward Vader, aged 38, of no fixed address.

Vader has multiple outstanding warrants on unrelated matters and has been known to be in the possession of firearms. Vader has a history of drug abuse. The RCMP is cautioning the public not to approach him as he could pose a threat to public safety.

“K” Division RCMP has 20 investigators working full-time on finding the McCanns. The law enforcement community across Canada is engaged in this effort. At any time since the start of the investigation, more than 100 RCMP officers from detachments and specialized units across Alberta have been focusing their efforts on this case.

“Today’s announcement is the result of their hard work, which will continue until this case is resolved,” said Assistant Commissioner Peter Hourihan, Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations “K” Division RCMP. “I want to assure the public that they can have confidence in the RCMP’s ability to take and process the tips they give us.” The RCMP has received more than 100 tips from the public in this case and carefully evaluates each tip we receive.

It was during the evaluation of a tip received at the Prince George Detachment on July 13, that an employee realized that they had not collected contact information from a witness who had attended the detachment to reporting a sighting of the McCann’s vehicle. Given the importance the RCMP places on processing each and every tip, immediate steps were taken to mitigate this oversight. A media release was issued and the RCMP was able to contact the witness.

What happened in Prince George has received much public attention and is being used by some to question the RCMP’s competence in this investigation. The RCMP reminds the public that the organization did what was required to get things right once the oversight was discovered, even if that meant exposing the organization to intense public scrutiny.

“I can assure you that each investigation we do is subject to review and this is underway in regards to the actions taken in after the discovery of the McCann’s motor home on July 5, 2010,", said Hourihan, who reported that a member has been placed on administrative duties until the review is complete.

“The important message today is that we don’t know where Mr. Vader is and that RCMP needs the public’s help in locating him. The public also needs to know that Mr. Vader could be dangerous and any sightings should be reported to police immediately,” said Hourihan.

The public is asked to call Edson Detachment at 780-723-8800
St. Albert Detachment at 780-458-4300
Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)

Contact: Sgt. Tim Taniguchi 780-412-5260
Sgt. Patrick Webb 403-869-7267
“K” Division RCMP
 

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca