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Kitchener Family’s 23-Year Search for Missing Person Sparks Renewed hope
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police to use new technology. Learn about the case and innovative location apps.">
The family of David MacDermott, who disappeared in Kitchener, Ontario, in November 2002, is renewing its efforts to find him after 23 years, appealing to the community and urging the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) to take further action. The case highlights the enduring pain of families with missing loved ones and the potential of modern technology to aid in search efforts.
The Unresolved Disappearance of David MacDermott
Linda Shaw, MacDermott’s mother, expressed the ongoing anguish the family faces. Every report of found remains brings a renewed wave of uncertainty and grief. the family’s hope rests on a new online petition, urging WRPS to obtain a search warrant for the property where MacDermott lived before his disappearance.The petition emphasizes the need to search the backyard and surrounding areas, utilizing ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to uncover potential evidence.
Did You know? Approximately 70,000 people are actively missing in the United States at any given time, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) [1].
Police Response and Obstacles in the Missing Person Investigation
WRPS acknowledges the ongoing investigation, but Director of Corporate Affairs Cherri Greeno stated that further searches require either evidence supporting a judicial application or consent from the current property owner. Despite constant communication with the new homeowner, an agreement for further investigative efforts has not been reached. Shaw expressed confusion over the homeowner’s reluctance, especially given the non-invasive nature of GPR technology.
The lack of progress underscores the challenges in long-term missing person cases, where investigative avenues can be limited by legal and logistical constraints.
‘what3words’ App: A New Tool in Missing Person Cases
As the search for MacDermott continues, advancements in technology offer new avenues for preventing future disappearances and aiding in rescue efforts. One such innovation is the ‘what3words’ app, which has been adopted in the Waterloo Region. This app divides the world into 3-meter squares, each identified by a unique three-word combination, allowing individuals to communicate their precise location to emergency services.
Jon Chessum, a 911 dispatcher with WRPS, explained that the app has already been used a dozen times in the region. Such as, if someone were at an LRT station and unsure of the exact location, they could provide the three-word combination to the dispatcher, enabling precise identification of their whereabouts.
