Lyle Thomas McCann, 78, and his wife Marie Ann, 77.

EDMONTON — A reward for a potential tipster that could solve Lyle and Marie McCann's suspicious disappearance has ballooned to $60,000.

After the family announced plans last month to offer up more than $10,000 from donors across St. Albert, Alta., in August, son Bret McCann says his family has been overwhelmed with the financial support.

"It's extremely gratifying that the public has donated this much money for the reward," said McCann.

An official announcement of the reward money is expected to be made on Friday in St. Albert.

Police dubbed Travis Vader as a suspect in the case on Aug. 31. He had been a person of interest in the disappearance since July 16.

The McCanns have been missing since July 3 when they left the Edmonton area, bound for B.C.

Their torched motorhome was found engulfed in flames near a campground about 160 km west of Edmonton on July 5.

JEFF CUMMINGS, QMI Agency