Ex-detective Gary Jubelin calls for public inquiry into handling of William Tyrrell case

Gary Jubelin, who once led the investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell, says a public inquiry is needed to ensure everything possible has been done to find the boy who went missing in 2014.

The man who once led the investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell is calling for a public inquiry into the handling of the case, questioning whether the tactics being used by police could “destroy lives”.

But the NSW Police Force said their only focus and the only thing that matters to them is William – and they stand by their investigation and the current coronial process.

“This is all for William, and if it takes time and effort to get it right, it’s worth it,” Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty exclusively told The Saturday Telegraph.

Former Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin has claimed placing the focus of the investigation on William’s foster mother, “leaking” information to the media about her unrelated charges and informing the public he had “messed up the case” is creating a narrative “not supported by facts”.

“This is all for William” .... Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty.

Gary Jubelin has called for a public inquiry into the handling of the William Tyrrell case. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve worked many homicides and been accused of playing hardball when working those cases, but I understand actions have consequences and there is no way I would have singled out a person with a strategy like that.

“If you get it wrong, you destroy lives.” Jubelin said it was time the Tyrell investigation was opened to greater public scrutiny. “It appears I am the only person who has had to justify their actions. Perhaps it is time for a public inquiry into the handling of the investigation, from the moment William disappeared, including how certain information has been leaked to the media.”

The little boy in the Spider-Man suit vanished from his foster grandmother’s front yard in Kendall on the NSW mid-north coast on September 12, 2014.

The case cost Jubelin his career and his reputation in 2019 when he was convicted of illegally recording four conversations with a person of interest. Jubelin, who is this week releasing his second book, said he would “rather not be talking about the Tyrrell investigation” but feels obliged to do so to “ensure more lives are not ruined by misinformation, speculation and rumours”.

Jubelin said he would not have singled out William’s foster mother in the way the police have done. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I think everyone should be very cautious about speculating where the truth lies before the facts are presented. I feel an external public inquiry may provide answers. We need to find out what happened to ­William and whether everything that could be done has been done,” he said.

Superintendent Doherty said every effort is – and should be – channelled toward finding William.

“The Homicide Squad’s Strike Force Rosann is continuing to prepare a brief for the information of the coroner, for the purpose of ­determining what happened to ­William,” Supt Doherty said.

“Our investigation is very much active and ongoing and, while I won’t go into specifics, I can assure the community that various activities, including those under coronial orders, are being undertaken every day. We are working with a large volume of information and it is necessary to methodically explore and exhaust every line of inquiry; and that is a protracted process.”

Last November the investigation publicly took a dramatic turn when NSW Police called a press conference and Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett announced a breakthrough and the focus of their seven-year investigation was now on one single suspect.

He also announced NSW Police were conducting a “high intensity” search for William’s remains at three locations near the Kendall home after “new evidence” was received.

William’s foster mother was placed in the spotlight late last year but Gary Jubelin said police were creating a narrative not supported by facts.

While the search continued, then Police Commissioner Mick Fuller sensationally criticised Jubelin’s investigation, saying the case had spent too much time pursuing ­people who “clearly” weren’t involved in William’s disappearance.

The timing of that and the fact the state’s most senior cop chose to criticise his own people in an active investigation was unprecedented.

Jubelin hit back and pointed out the progress of his investigation was heavily documented and signed off on up to Assistant Commissioner level and there was no criticism of the investigation. Jubelin questions whether William’s foster mother became a target of unidentified people within the police force because she had publicly supported him in his own criminal proceedings in 2019.

The woman, who had previously been eliminated as a suspect by senior police, gave evidence in support of Jubelin, expressing concerns that police would try to shut down the investigation following Jubelin’s dramatic removal. She urged police not to send the investigation to unsolved crimes where it could languish as a “cold case”.

Police began a new search for clues in the disappearance of William Tyrrell late in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Jubelin said this week: “It concerns me that this person became a suspect after publicly criticising the police. I have been investigating homicides for a very long time and I have never had a killer express concern about an investigation being closed down.”

The foster parents, who strenuously deny any involvement in William’s disappearance, have since been charged in an unrelated matter with common assault and stalking and intimidation of a child, who is not William.

They have also been charged with giving false evidence to the NSW Crime Commission and last week, the foster parents were charged with fraud.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, face one count each of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and will face court in October. They are accused of getting a person to deliberately make fake bids on a property in December.

The foster father’s lawyer Lauren MacDougall said the man would be defending every charge. The foster mother has pleaded not guilty every time she has faced court.

While none of the charges relate to William’s disappearance, police sources said the coronial inquest won’t resume until after these matters are dealt with.

The NSW Coroner confirmed this week no date had been set for further evidence or delivery of findings and refused to comment on why Jubelin was never called to give evidence. It would also not be drawn on whether Jubelin’s 22-page statement, which he provided as part of the police brief, had been tendered.

GARY JUBELIN IS A CORRESPONDENT WITH THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH