‘Another hurdle’: Kitchener family still searching for missing son after 23 years

A Kitchener family is now reaching out to the local community to spur new action from Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), 23 years after their son went missing.

It’s all in hopes of finding David MacDermott, who was first reported missing in November 2002 by regional police.

“It’s nothing short of horrific because after 23 years,…You hear about remains being found, and you wonder if this is going to be the day,” Linda Shaw, MacDermott’s mother, said.

Shaw and the rest of the family are hoping an online petition can help lead to some new information, requesting that police obtain a search warrant for the property where McDermott used to live.

“The police conducted a search of the house and garage from where he went missing, but they have not searched the backyard and surrounding areas – an area crucial to completing a thorough investigation,” Shaw said through the online petition. “The only way to proceed is for WRPS to obtain a search warrant to use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), which could potentially uncover evidence that has been overlooked.”

570 NewsRadio reached out to WRPS for a statement regarding the ongoing missing persons case and the new online petition.

Cherri Greeno, the WRPS’ Director of Corporate Affairs, said the search still continues for MacDermott, but some roadblocks are preventing further direct searches of the property.

“Following his initial disappearance, a thorough search of the area was conducted,” Greeno stated. “Any subsequent search requires evidence to support a judicial application to be granted by the court or consent from the property owner.”

She said officers have been in constant communication with the property owner, hoping to reach “an agreement that would support further investigative efforts.”

With it being a new owner since MacDermott first went missing, Shaw mentioned that she’s mainly confused why they are so hesitant in allowing police to better search the area with the new updated technology.

“I don’t know why the homeowner is not allowing it to be done. I don’t understand it,” Shaw said. “It’s non-invasive. It’s just another hurdle we are trying to cross.”

As of now, the case remains ongoing after 23 years, with missing pieces continuing to prevent further progress in the search for MacDermott.