A large-scale forensic search is underway as part of ongoing investigations into the 2014 disappearance of William Tyrrell, NSW Police say.
Shortly before 10.30am on Friday 12 September 2014, William, then aged three, was playing in the yard of his grandmother’s home on Benaroon Drive, Kendall, when he disappeared.
Within a few short hours, hundreds of local residents and emergency service workers combined to search the rural township, looking in forests, creeks and paddocks for the boy.
Initial investigations included a canvass of the entire township of Kendall to obtain information about each resident’s knowledge of the local area and their movements and observations on the day he disappeared.
William was not located, and police formed the view that his disappearance was as a result of human intervention.
Detectives and analysts from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad established Strike Force Rosann to investigate the circumstances surrounding William’s disappearance.
As part of ongoing investigations, a large-scale forensic search of bushland at Kendall commenced today (Wednesday 13 June 2018).
The search, which is expected to take up to four weeks, is being coordinated by experts from the Public Order and Riot Squad and the State Planning Unit.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said the search will be conducted differently to the initial search, which focused on finding a lost little boy.
"The search for William was extensive. It lasted 10 days and involved police, emergency services, and hundreds of volunteers, and covered an area of about 18 square kilometres," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
"The thoroughness of the search allowed investigators to determine the most likely scenario of deliberate human intervention.
"Unfortunately, these types of searches focus on simply finding a lost child, and the details of the search are not documented as precisely as would be required for evidence at court.
"We need to able to satisfy a court – whether that be coronial or criminal – that William’s disappearance was not through misadventure.
"This search will be detailed and documented, and we don’t know if we will find anything relevant, but we want to outline exactly what areas have been searched, who searched the area, and how it was searched."
Det Ch Insp Jubelin reminded the community a $1 million NSW Government reward remains on offer for information that leads to the recovery of William.
"While Strike Force Rosann have a presence here at the search, we also have other members of the team continuing to follow important lines of inquiry," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
"It is important I reiterate our commitment to finding William and reassure the community that we are continuing to investigate potential persons of interest with the same tenacity as we did right from the beginning.
"We welcome any information that may assist the investigation and remind those who have information that may not have been inclined to come forward: now is the time to speak to us," Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
Police are urging anyone with information about the disappearance of William Tyrrell to call Crime Stoppers.
