Lawrence Hammett

Lawrence Hammett

Update: 2024-09-234
Share

Digest

This podcast delves into the mysterious disappearance of Lawrence Hammett, a man struggling with addiction, trauma, and mental health. The episode begins with Lawrence's loved ones recounting his early life, marked by abuse and artistic talent. We learn about his struggles with addiction, his periods of sobriety, and the impact of his brain injury. The podcast explores the events leading up to his disappearance, including his last known interactions with friends and family, his desire to disappear, and his possible suicide. The episode also examines Lawrence's family history, revealing that his uncle also disappeared in the 90s. The podcast explores the different theories surrounding Lawrence's fate, including the possibility that he is still alive, homeless, or deceased. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to contact the Durango Police Department if they have any information about Lawrence's disappearance.

Outlines

00:00:00
Lawrence's Disappearance and Early Life

The podcast introduces Lawrence Hammett's story and details his disappearance from a hospital in Durango, Colorado. His loved ones are left searching for answers and piecing together what happened. The episode also explores Lawrence's early life, including his artistic talents and the abusive environment he grew up in.

00:04:35
Lawrence's Struggles with Addiction and Trauma

This chapter delves into Lawrence's struggles with addiction, his pattern of relapses, and his attempts to get sober. It also explores the impact of his childhood trauma on his life and his mental health.

00:21:37
Lawrence's Relationships and the Stabbing Incident

This chapter focuses on Lawrence's relationships with his former girlfriend, Jen, and his stepfather. It details the incident where Lawrence stabbed his stepfather in 2015, leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.

00:32:33
The Brain Injury and Its Impact

This chapter discusses the impact of a brain injury Lawrence sustained in an accident, which affected his behavior and ability to function. It also explores how this injury may have contributed to his struggles with addiction and his eventual disappearance.

00:35:12
Lawrence's Period of Sobriety and Colette the Dog

This chapter describes Lawrence's period of sobriety, his love for animals, and the role his dog, Colette, played in his recovery. It also explores how Colette's escape contributed to Lawrence's relapse and downward spiral.

00:44:50
The Durango Police Investigation

This chapter delves into the Durango Police Department's investigation into Lawrence's disappearance, including their findings and the challenges they faced.

00:55:13
Lawrence's Last Days and Disappearance

This chapter details the last known interactions with Lawrence before his disappearance. His friends and family recount their last interactions with him, including a conversation where he expressed a desire to disappear.

01:10:40
Lawrence's Last Conversation and Possible Suicide

This chapter features an audio recording of Lawrence's last conversation with his friend Jody. He expresses his desire to disappear and talks about his struggles with alcoholism and trauma. The chapter also explores the possibility that Lawrence was trying to drink himself to death.

01:18:46
Lawrence's Family History and Brain Injury

This chapter delves into Lawrence's family history, revealing that his uncle Tracy also disappeared in the 90s. The family discusses the similarities between their cases and the impact of these disappearances on their lives. The chapter also explores the possibility that Lawrence's brain injury, combined with his heavy drinking, could have contributed to his disappearance.

01:23:29
Lawrence's Fate and Trauma

This chapter explores the different theories surrounding Lawrence's fate. His family and friends discuss whether he is still alive, if he is homeless, or if he died due to his alcoholism. The chapter also focuses on Lawrence's history of trauma and its impact on his life.

01:28:12
Lawrence's Disappearance: A Mystery and Call to Action

This chapter summarizes the mystery surrounding Lawrence's disappearance. The podcast hosts discuss the different possibilities and encourage listeners to come forward with any information they may have. The chapter concludes with a call to action for listeners to contact the Durango Police Department if they have any information about Lawrence's disappearance.

Keywords

Addiction


A state of dependence on a substance or behavior, characterized by compulsive use, withdrawal symptoms, and negative consequences.

Trauma


A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting psychological and emotional effects.

Brain Injury


Damage to the brain that can affect cognitive, physical, and emotional functions.

Sobriety


The state of abstaining from alcohol or drugs.

Relapse


A return to a previous pattern of behavior, such as substance abuse, after a period of abstinence.

Homelessness


The state of having no permanent residence or adequate housing.

Missing Person


An individual whose whereabouts are unknown and whose disappearance is considered suspicious or concerning.

Disappearance


The act of going missing or vanishing without a trace.

Alcoholism


A chronic and relapsing brain disease characterized by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite negative consequences.

Toxic Relationships


Relationships that are characterized by unhealthy patterns of communication, behavior, and power dynamics.

Q&A

  • What are some of the challenges faced by Lawrence's loved ones in trying to find him?

    The delay in reporting Lawrence missing, the lack of a phone or vehicle to track, and the absence of hospital footage have made the investigation difficult.

  • How did Lawrence's childhood experiences shape his life?

    Lawrence's childhood was marked by abuse, which contributed to his struggles with addiction and mental health issues.

  • What were some of the signs that Lawrence was relapsing into addiction?

    Lawrence's loved ones noticed changes in his behavior, including withdrawal, depression, and increased drinking.

  • What role did Lawrence's dog, Colette, play in his life?

    Colette provided Lawrence with companionship and support during his period of sobriety, and her loss contributed to his relapse.

  • What are some of the theories about what happened to Lawrence after he left the hospital?

    Some believe he may have tried to make it back to Montrose, while others think he may have stayed in Durango or gone to Grand Junction.

  • What is the significance of Lawrence's disappearance for his loved ones?

    Lawrence's disappearance has left his loved ones with a sense of loss, uncertainty, and a desire to find answers and closure.

  • What were the circumstances surrounding Lawrence's last known interactions with his family and friends?

    Lawrence was struggling with alcoholism and had been hospitalized multiple times. He expressed a desire to disappear and was in a very rough state physically and emotionally.

  • What are the possible explanations for Lawrence's disappearance?

    Lawrence may have died due to his alcoholism, he may be living homeless, or he may have chosen to disappear and start over.

  • How did Lawrence's history of trauma impact his life?

    Lawrence's trauma led to struggles with alcoholism, mental health issues, and a desire to escape his pain.

  • What is the family's hope for Lawrence's future?

    Lawrence's family hopes that he is alive and well, but they are also prepared for the possibility that he may be gone. They are seeking answers and closure.

Show Notes

On the afternoon of June 24, 2023, 41-year-old Lawrence Hammett was transferred from Montrose Regional Health to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. Approximately two hours later, a staff member attempted to call Lawrence back, but he was gone. No one knew that Lawrence had been transferred to a hospital roughly two and a half hours away, and they began to notice that they stopped seeing him around town. 

Weeks passed without word, and Lawrence's loved ones began comparing notes. No one had heard from him. They searched around Montrose, but there was no trace of Lawrence there. Eventually, Lawrence's sister contacted the Montrose Police Department to file a missing persons report, and they told her that he had been in the hospital and was transferred to Durango. 

This news moved their search more than 100 miles away, and by that time, the camera footage from June 24 was long gone. They didn't have any clues to point them in the direction that Lawrence may have gone or if he had left with someone.

More than a year later, Lawrence's loved ones are still picking up the pieces, searching for any information that could help bring the puzzle of what happened to him into focus. 

If you have any information about Lawrence Hammett's disappearance, please call the Durango Police Department at 970-375-4700.

If you are in the area and want to help, Lawrence's loved ones are planning a search party in Durango on Oct 5, 2024. You can find more information on the Bring Lawrence Home Facebook page.

If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.

Follow The Vanished on social media at:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Patreon

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comments (1)

Danielle Beeaff

Unfortunately, if he had bleeding while vomiting and did not get treatment, he may have died. I hope that’s not the case. If he returns,I hope he gets the counseling he desperately needs while getting clean. 

Sep 25th
Reply
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Lawrence Hammett

Lawrence Hammett