An inquest has been held to investigate the disappearance of William Tyrrell, who was last seen at his grandmother’s home in Kendall on September 12, 2014.
During a forensic search of the area, no traces of the child were found.
The inquest resumed at the NSW Coroner’s Court at Lidcombe on February 14, 2019. The fifth and final block of hearings focuses on the theory that the child died after falling from a veranda.
His foster mother then covered up his death by disposing of his body.
This allegation has been denied by the foster mom. The police theory sparked a renewed search for the child in Kendall, which included the Cobb and Co Rd intersection in 2021.
Gerard Craddock, counsel assisting the court, stated that William was not found.
It’s clear from the evidence collected during the investigation that there has been no forensic evidence found at 48 Benaroon Drive, or anywhere else in the area where the child was last seen.
Volunteers and police personnel were also forced to search through thick vegetation as it was hard to get through the overgrowth.
Jon Olley, a water science expert, was hired by NSW Police to assist in the investigation. He was asked by John Stratton SC, the barrister representing the child’s foster parents, to give his opinion on the search.
According to Professor Olley, William’s polyester suit, which he was wearing when he disappeared, would have degraded over time.
The court has been told that there have been no traces of the child ever found. However, during the search, some animal bones were discovered.
According to the court, Professor Olley sent an email to an expert in wildlife, asking if there could have been any bones taken by wild dogs and pigs.
He was later cleared of any involvement in the disappearance of William. The court ruled that his attempt to be prosecuted was made to put pressure on the scientist during the investigation.
On Monday, Mr Craddock stated that police officers’ statements could be wrong or right. He also told the court that it was not possible for a coroner to rely on the findings of a police investigator.
He provided the court with an outline of the evidence that was prevented during the first four phases of the inquest.
On September 12, 2014, the foster mother called triple-0 to report the missing child. The court was told that the area where the child was last seen was overgrown and had no access to natural light.
Mr Craddock noted that the court could also conclude that the child could not have wandered away from the area that was searched the following day.
According to Mr Craddock, the evidence shows that the search for the missing child was carried out in a thorough and methodical manner.