Police continue to search a property east of Airdrie that belongs to the parents of Douglas Garland, the man accused of murdering Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents last June.

The five-year-old boy and Alvin and Kathy Liknes were reported missing on June 30, 2014 after Nathan’s mother went to pick him up from his grandparents Parkhill home following a sleep over.

Douglas Garland, 54, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder on July 15 in connection to the death of the three Calgarians even though their bodies have not been recovered.

Police embarked on an exhaustive search for the trio that took them to city landfills and the acreage north of Calgary after they dissappeared.

RCMP and Calgary police set up a search at the farm on the weekend and are expected to be there for the next several days.

Neighbours were surprised to see officers back at the property.

“We all were surprised that they came back because this is going to court pretty soon or whatever so yea I guess that was the thing we didn’t understand but they’ve got a job to do and you know, it’s not really inconveniencing anybody but it would be nice to get some closure on this“ said area resident Jim Nevada.

A preliminary hearing is expected to start in about six weeks and a judge will then determine if there is enough evidence to take the case to trial.

Mount Royal University Justice Studies professor Doug King says it is difficult to prosecute a murder case without a body and officers could be taking another look at the property to reconfirm their findings.

“They may be just reconfirming, once again, pictures or reconfirming the layout of the property and those kinds of things because police officers will likely have to present evidence at the preliminary hearing and they’re just maybe wanting to make very sure as to what’s transpiring,” said King.

Police say they do not have any new information on the location of Nathan or Alvin and Kathy Liknes and are not providing comment because the case is currently before the courts.

Garland's preliminary inquiry is scheduled to begin May 19th.