Latest bushland search ends as William Tyrrell case moves towards inquest

Police have finished a three-week search for William Tyrrell in the mid-north coast town of Kendall without reporting any major new clues to his disappearance.

POLICE have finished a three-week search for missing boy William Tyrrell in the mid-north coast town of Kendall without reporting any major new clues to his disappearance.
The result means a coronial inquest could be the next major step in the search for the little boy in the Spider-Man suit.

NSW Police search bushland at Batar Creek on June 28. Picture: AAP

The search was focused on Kendall, where he disappeared, and bushland at Batar Creek, 4km away. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Batar Creek is a six-minute drive from William's foster grandmother's yard, where he disappeared from in September 2014. Picture: AAP

The new search was ordered by Strike Force Rosann to rule out conclusively that William could have wandered into nearby bushland and got lost on the day he vanished in September 2014.

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Police searched 4sq km around the former home of William’s foster grandmother where he was playing at the time and a second search site south of the property.

William Tyrrell. Picture: Supplied by NSW Police

William Tyrrell's parents looking at pictures of their missing son.

Lead investigator detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin used the search to direct pressure on those responsible for the country’s most high-profile abduction.

“There is a person out there who knows why we are searching this area. This person will no doubt be feeling pressure from the intensity of the investigation,” Insp Jubelin said.

MORE: Distraught nan begs police to stop search

“I would suggest people close to this person might notice a change in the person’s behaviour. I’d encourage those persons to come forward with any information they have.”

SES volunteers helped clear the dense bushland as part of the police search. Picture: Nathan Edwards

The forensic search was thorough and meticulous. Picture: AAP

He did say police had “gained information” from the search.

“While police have not located William or evidence of William being in the search areas, Strike Force Rosann detectives have gathered information relevant to the investigation,” police announced today.

Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin. Picture: AAP

Search teams were looking for any evidence of William. Picture: AAP

The searches are widely considered to be one of the final stages of the investigation before William’s disappearance goes to a coronial inquest.

NSW deputy state coroner Harriet Graham visited the search sites this week.

Police also reminded the public a $1 million reward remains in place for information that leads to the recovery of William.

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