Bombshell revelation after search for William Tyrrell who vanished without a trace 10 years ago

A forensic search for William Tyrrell in and around Kendall in late 2021 uncovered animal bones, but there was no trace of the three-year-old, an inquest heard.

William’s disappearance from his foster grandmother’s home in Kendall on the NSW Mid North Coast in September 2014 is the subject of an inquest before the NSW Coroner’s Court.

The long-running inquest before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame has resumed and will conclude after a final series of hearings.

The inquest is examining a police theory that William died in an accidental fall and that his foster mother disposed of his body in nearby bushland.

It is an accusation that the foster mother stubbornly and vehemently denies.

At the inquest on Tuesday, Dr. The hearing will include Jennifer Menzies, an expert on skeletal remains, and Senior Constable Jost Preis, who will give evidence about the search.

THE SEARCH

The police theory led to a renewed forensic search around Kendall in late 2021, including the intersection of Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd.

“It is beyond any argument now that William Tyrrell has not been found,” counsel for Gerard Craddock told the court on Monday.

“It is undisputed that no forensic evidence has been found at 48 Benaroon Drive or anywhere else that would indicate William’s disappearance.”

Police and volunteers hand-searched leaf litter and soil during the search, drained creeks and searched for signs of William with cadaver dogs.

Water science expert Professor Jon Olley was brought in as a consultant by NSW Police during the dig 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 thorough’.

Professor Olley told the court it would have taken centuries for a polyester suit resembling the Spider-Man outfit William wore on the day he disappeared to break down.

“The estimate is hundreds of years,” Professor Olley said.

The court heard that no traces of William were ever found, but the search did reveal animal bones, including kangaroo limbs.

The court heard that Professor Olley also emailed a wildlife expert from the Department of Primary Industries asking whether bones could have been taken by pigs and wild dogs.

He said the expert replied “absolutely.”

Professor Olley said if William had been dumped in a creek around the search area, his body would have ended up in one of the dams.

ACCIDENT

The court was told police believed William died in an accidental fall and his foster mother had disposed of his body in nearby bushland on the corner of Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd.

William’s foster mother and father (pictured) have denied any wrongdoing

Mr Craddock SC told the court that the police theory was that the foster mother then returned to her mother’s home in Benaroon Drive and called triple-0.

“Police allege that (the foster mother) must have quickly come to the conclusion 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 near Batar Creek Rd and Cobb and Co Rd on September 12, 2014.

The foster mother’s evidence before the NSW Crime Commission will also be played in court.

Mr Craddock also noted that police theories can be wrong.

“A coroner cannot act on the express belief of a police investigator.”

The hearing continues.