Police mark William Tyrrell’s 12th birthday with new statement on his disappearance

On September 12, 2014, three-year-old William Tyrrell vanished from his grandmother’s Kendall home now, on what would have been his 12th birthday, NSW Police have reaffirmed their commitment to finding answers to his disappearance.

William had been playing in the front yard of his grandmother’s property in Kendall and was wearing a Spider-Man suit at the time of his disappearance. Despite extensive investigations and renewed search efforts by hundreds of volunteers and emergency service workers in 2021, he has never been found.

On Monday, June 26, police marked William’s birthday with a statement claiming that the “determination of strike force detectives has never wavered as they continue to meticulously explore and exhaust every line of inquiry”.

“As another of William Tyrrell’s birthdays comes and goes – on what should be a happy occasion – the NSW Police Force continues to actively and vigorously search for answers into his disappearance,” the statement read.

In the years since William’s disappearance, little progress has been made in finding answers regarding his fate, until renewed search efforts were initiated in 2021.

In November 2021, Detectives from Strike Force Rosann announced renewed search efforts to find William, involving hundreds of police officers, in three specific locations in the Kendall area.

At the time, Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said police are “very hopeful that we can bring this matter to some form of conclusion” after new evidence was obtained during the ongoing investigation.

“This activity is in response to evidence we’ve obtained in the course of the investigation, it’s not speculative in any way,” he said.

“We are acting on behalf of the Coroner and in conjunction with the coronial orders, she will be kept updated with regard to our progress.”

The renewed search effort saw police scour the Kendall property where William went missing, dig up the garden below the second-floor balcony, and sift through dirt for any clues as to the boy’s disappearance. Cadaver dogs were also spotted being taken around the area while forensic teams sprayed the chemical luminol around the property to highlight any traces of blood that may have been present.

Authorities also collected and photographed several pieces of fabric, which were taken away for further forensic testing. Detectives also revealed that they had seized a Mazda on November 9, 2021 to undergo “extensive forensic examinations and analysis”.

As the search drew to a close, NSW Police revealed they were “very happy” with the items they had discovered.

A $1 million reward for information that leads to the recovery of William, and the circumstances regarding his disappearance, still stands

Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.