Travis Vader has been denied day parole in his first bid for release since he was sent to prison for killing St. Albert, Alta., seniors Lyle and Marie McCann.

Vader’s life sentence on two counts of manslaughter began in early 2017, with no chance of parole for seven years.

He continues to insist he didn’t kill the elderly couple in 2010, repeating at the Parole Board of Canada hearing Thursday that he denies involvement and doesn’t know where their bodies are.

The hearing lasted several hours, with parole board members David Hunt and Ryan Nash questioning Vader about his criminal history and about programming and counselling he’s done during his prison term.

While the board noted Vader has made some progress, maintaining sobriety since at least 2019 and showing motivation to change, he still poses a high risk to violently reoffend, according to an assessment.

The board determined that risk can’t yet be appropriately managed in the community.

“You are entitled to hold your position of denial of accountability and responsibility, and it is not required to be granted parole that you admit to your offences,” one board member told Vader.

“But it certainly would lessen the harm you have caused through your actions in this offence. The harm is further compounded in not only the denial, but the family’s inability to put to rest their loved ones.”

The McCanns, who were in their 70s, were last seen alive on July 3, 2010. Their burned-out RV was found two days later at a campsite near Edson, Alta.

Their son, Bret McCann, said in a statement following Thursday’s decision that the family is “so relieved” that Vader will stay in custody.

He said the man convicted of killing his parents shouldn’t be granted release until he admits to his crimes and tells authorities where the remains are.

Vader has been in various federal institutions in B.C. since his sentence began, and he’s been in prison nearly eight years so far.

The parole officer handling his case told the hearing that day parole release for Vader would be premature, and his behaviour continues to be “adversarial and quite challenging” at times.

Despite completing programming geared toward managing the risks he poses, Vader has also shown an “inconsistent ability to regulate his emotions, challenge his thoughts and gain more insight into his offence cycle.”