‘I wish I could ask my dad why he murdered my mum in a row over frozen chips’

Yvonne McCann was strangled to death in 2020 by estranged husband Thomas McCann who dumped her dismembered body at a recycling centre and beauty spot after a row about frozen chips

Yvonne McCann, 46, was strangled to death in 2020 by her estranged husband (

Image: MEN Media)

A son whose “soul was dragged out from his stomach” when his mum was murdered by his father wishes he could ask him why he killed her.

Beloved Yvonne McCann, 46, was strangled to death in 2020 by her estranged husband Thomas McCann after a row over chips left out of the freezer.

Her dismembered body parts were discovered in bin bags at a recycling centre and a beauty spot shortly after she was reported missing.

In 2021 he pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 12 years.

Callum Lawson, Yvonne’s eldest son, told the Manchester Evening News of his heartbreak since the tragic death of his “best friend.”

Callum Lawson pictured with his beloved mum who died in 2020 (

Image:

GMP) Yvonne McCann’s body was found in a park (

Image:

MEN MEDIA)

He said: “She was my best friend, she was always there when I needed her. She was happy and kind and always there for anybody,” Callum said.

“Now she’s gone I feel like my soul has been dragged out of my stomach. I felt like I was in a dream. For weeks I didn’t eat, I didn’t drink, I thought I was going to die one day anyway so it didn’t matter. I then started having a few bits and slowly got back to normal.

“Sometimes I can’t sleep at night. I close my eyes and she’s there, with her smile. I have children and she would take them out and do anything she could for them.

“She never met my youngest daughter. I’m always missing that piece of jigsaw to that part of my life. He has taken the world from me.

“He used to run off with other women, he would come back and they would argue and would push each other around. Apart from that, nothing else happened.

Thomas McCann, 49, was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court (

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PA) Callum says his mother’s death “ripped out his soul” (

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GMP)

“Then she was murdered. I think they were eventually going to get back together. I don’t know if he killed her so no one else could have her.

“(Before the killing) he kept saying he loves her and wants her back. I just said it’s about time he let her be happy.”

Days after her murder there had been a family barbecue which Thomas McCann had attended a family barbecue and said he had argued with their mum who stormed out.

When he passed out on the sofa one of their children went through his pockets and discovered her mum’s phone and jewellery, raising suspicions over her disappearance.

He was later arrested for murder.

Calum added: “If I’d have seen him with those I’d have questioned him. He was drunk, he probably would have told me the truth. I wish he did tell me, I would have phoned the police straight away.

“All of a sudden we were all out looking. I was ringing her partner. I was ringing my dad but he just didn’t want to answer the phone, he said.

“Then I got a message from my brother saying dad had been arrested on suspicion of murder – my heart just sank.I felt my soul was dragged out of me.”

“All I can think about is that one day mum will knock on my door, to this day my heart is always stuck in my mouth. I always wish we could turn back time to a happy life like when I was a kid again.

“Mum’s always there in my head and I know she’ll always be by my side.”

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