A new development in the missing persons case of William Tyrrell has given police—and the nation—hope for the first time in years.
Tyrrell, who went missing aged three on September 12, 2014, has been at the centre of investigations for more than seven years. Now, New South Wales police believe they have a strong enough lead that could end the search for the young boy.
On Monday, November 15 Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said “new evidence” had sparked a new operation within the investigation. He said the operation would last between two and three weeks.
What is the new evidence in the William Tyrrell case?
Per NSW Police’s major announcement on Monday, hundreds of officers will be involved in a “high intensity” search for the missing boy focussed on three locations in the NSW Mid-North Coast—around the same area he vanished seven years ago.
Police confirmed each of these locations have never been scoured as part of the case.
“We think this provides us with the best chance of finding him,” Detective Bennett said.
Following the announcement, Sydney Morning Herald reported NSW Police have taken out an apprehended violence order (AVO) against William Tyrrell’s foster parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons. They are due to appear in court next week in relation to the AVO.
To add, a $1 million reward for a lead strong enough to capture Tyrrell’s abductor is still available.
Is William Tyrrell still alive?
While the new evidence is a positive step forward in the seven-year investigation, Police are not hopeful Tyrrell, who would now be 10-years-old, will be found alive.
Detective Bennett explained: “It’s highly likely that if we found something it would be a body. We are looking for the remains of William Tyrrell, no doubt about that.”
What happened to William Tyrrell?
William Tyrrell vanished from his foster grandmother’s house in Kendall, NSW on September 12, 2014. He was last seen wearing a spiderman costume.
Tyrrell and his older sister were playing “tigers” on the lawn when his grandmother went inside to make tea. When she came back outside, William was gone.
An inquest into his disappearance began in March 2019, and is due to be handed down this year. His family gave emotional testimonies including his sister who said she would do whatever it took to find him, even by becoming a police officer.
The findings from the inquest, which also examined thousands of pieces of evidence pertaining to the case, are expected to be delivered by Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame next year.
While police are hopeful in finding Tyrrell’s body, Detective Bennett stressed that it would not end the police investigation. No charges have ever been laid over his disappearance.
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