New South Police (NSW) have found a replica gun while searching bushland for the remains of William Tyrrell on November 30, as reported by 9 News.
The discovery was made beside Batar Creek Road in Kendall as the renewed search for William enters its 17th day, following the announcement from police that renewed searches for William Tyrrell would commence after new information came to light. Since the searches began, police have scoured the Kendall property where William went missing, dug up the garden below the second-floor balcony, and sifted through vast volumes of dirt for any clues as to the boy’s disappearance.
Police said in a statement to 9 news that the replica gun is “not related to Strike Force Rosann” (the Tyrrell taskforce) however, the item will still be taken away to undergo forensic testing. Another fragment was also found in a drain close to the road and collected as evidence.
The latest find comes after detectives drained a creek near Batar Creek Road on Monday in an effort to drain as much water from the search area before heavy rain and poor weather conditions set in. The NSW Rural Fire Service brought in high-volume pumps to drain the creek.
Police have collected 32 items of evidence during the search, including multiple pieces of fabric, which have been taken away for further forensic testing.
Detective chief superintendent Darren Bennett provided a brief update, on November 26, concerning the latest operational activities of Strike Force Rosann, telling reporters “we are very happy with the progress so far”.
“The update is that the search continues. It is painstaking, it is difficult,” he said. “We’re very happy with the items we’ve found in terms of their relevance to the investigation, in terms of both eliminating people or proving what happened to William Tyrrell.
“The investigative team’s message to me is that what they’ve located there and what they’ve done so far is cause enough to keep going.”
#LIVE: NSW Police are providing an update on the William Tyrrell investigation. #9News https://t.co/HC7zabBfRW
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 25, 2021