A forensic search for William Tyrrell in and around Kendall in late 2021 uncovered animal bones but no trace of the three-year-old boy, an inquest heard.
William’s disappearance from his adoptive grandmother’s home in Kendall on the New South Wales Mid North Coast in September 2014 is the subject of an inquest before the New South Wales Coroner’s Court.
The long-running inquest before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame has resumed and is due to conclude after a final block of hearings.
The investigation is examining a police theory that William died in an accidental fall and that his adoptive mother disposed of his body in nearby bushland.
It is an accusation that the adoptive mother has persistently and vehemently denied.
Tuesday’s inquest is expected to hear from skeletal remains expert Dr Jennifer Menzies and Senior Constable Jost Preis, who will give evidence about the search.
THE SEARCH
The police theory prompted a renewed forensic search around Kendall, including the junction of Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd, in late 2021.
William Tyrrell disappeared in September 2014
“It is beyond argument now that William Tyrrell has not been found,” the lawyer assisting Gerard Craddock told the court on Monday.
“It is indisputable that no forensic evidence has been located at 48 Benaroon Drive or anywhere else that would provide a clue to William’s disappearance.”
Police and volunteers sifted through leaf litter and soil by hand during the search, drained streams and searched for any sign of William with cadaver dogs.
Water sciences expert Professor Jon Olley was hired by New South Wales Police as a consultant during the excavation, as he was also involved in the search for Daniel Morcombe and other high-profile missing persons cases.
He told the court the search was “extremely exhaustive”.
Professor Olley told the court that a polyester suit similar to the Spider-Man suit William was wearing on the day he disappeared would have taken centuries to degrade.
“The estimate is hundreds of years,” Professor Olley said.
The court has heard no traces of William have ever been found, however the search uncovered animal bones including kangaroo limbs.
The court heard Professor Olley also emailed a Department of Primary Industries wildlife expert asking if any bones could have been taken by wild pigs and dogs.
He said the expert responded “absolutely.”
Professor Olley said if William had been dumped in a stream around the search area his body would have become trapped in one of the dams.
ACCIDENTAL FALL
The court was told police believed William died in an accidental fall and that his foster mother disposed of his body in nearby bushland on the corner of Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd.
William’s adoptive mother and father (pictured) have denied any wrongdoing.
Craddock SC told the court that, according to the police theory, the foster mother returned to her mother’s home in Benaroon Drive and called triple-0.
“Police claim (the foster mother) must have quickly resolved that if Williams’ accidental death were discovered, she could lose (another foster child in her care),” he said.
He said police further theorized that the foster mother “drove her mother’s car to Batar Creek Road and placed William’s body somewhere in the brush.”
The court was told the inquest would hear evidence from a truck driver who was driving in the vicinity of Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd on September 12, 2014.
The adoptive mother’s evidence to the NSW Crime Commission will also be presented to the court.
Craddock also noted that police theories could be wrong.
“A coroner cannot act based on the expressed belief of a police investigator.”
The hearing continues.