A former journalist from York, who has spent the last two years immersed in the nearly 16-year-old disappearance of Claudia Lawrence, believes the case will be solved.
Tom McDermott has worked alongside Claudia’s mother, Joan Lawrence, as well her friends, neighbours and theorists in search of answers. He says he’s also in regular contact with North Yorkshire Police.
Tom shares his findings and theories on a podcast, Answers for Claudia, which launched in April 2024 and explores rumours and leads provided by members of the public.
The podcast began following Tom’s introduction to Joan, who he now considers a friend.
At 81 years old, Joan believes that the podcast could be her last chance for answers.
Tom told YorkMix: “Sometimes you think you’re banging your head against a brick wall with it, but then you speak to Joan and realise why you’re doing it.”
Claudia Lawrence was 35 when she went missing on 18 March 2009 after failing to show up for her shift as a chef at the University of York.
Detectives believe Claudia, who lived on Heworth Road, was murdered, though her body has never been found.
In his pursuit of answers for Joan, Tom is determined to find out what happened.
Formerly a sports journalist, Tom now works in content and digital strategy for businesses and dedicates the rest of his time to the case.
After countless hours of research, his theory remains that whatever happened to Claudia occurred on the evening of Wednesday 18 March 2009.
He told YorkMix: “I believe that she came home from work on the 18th and then something happened that evening, and I don’t believe that she set off for work on Thursday morning.”
Tom suspects that the answer can be found within Claudia’s house, which has remained empty since her disappearance.
“I wouldn’t say it happened in the house, but the answer to the mystery probably lies in the house still.
“If somebody entered the property, invited or uninvited, the house will be at the heart of it, I think.”
During the most recent episode of the podcast, Episode 9, Tom and Joan revealed the discovery of a hidden loft unit in Claudia’s home.
Tom had discovered the small opening on a previous visit, but needed assistance to access the space.
He explained on the podcast, “I don’t think, looking at it, I don’t think anybody has been in there. It’s not a huge space, but significant.
“It’s hard to believe given I’ve been in the house so many times that this might not have been searched.”
Speaking to YorkMix regarding the recent discovery, Tom believes good progress is being made in the investigation.
“It does feel like things have taken a more positive turn, things are moving. There’s obviously a lot of information that we do know that we can’t share publicly too.”
When asked if he believed the case is likely to be solved, Tom replied, “I think it can be solved. I wouldn’t say likely, I think this can be solved.”
The next episode of the podcast, which will be released over the next week or two, will mark 16 years since Claudia’s disappearance.
He shared that significant information has been passed onto him, along with new leads that he considers to be of “high importance”.
Some of which will be released in the upcoming episode.