Police chasing ‘active leads’ over missing William Tyrrell
A man previously named by police as one of a number of persons of interest in the disappearance of NSW toddler William Tyrrell will give evidence at the inquest into his suspected death as police chase “active leads”.
NSW
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A man previously named by police as one of a number of persons of interest in the disappearance of NSW toddler William Tyrrell will give evidence at the inquest into his suspected death as police chase “active leads”.
Lawyers for William Spedding gathered alongside the three-year-old’s foster parents as a directions hearing for the probe got underway at Glebe Coroners Court on Wednesday.
The boy in the Spider-Man suit went missing from his foster grandmother’s garden in the town of Kendall, near Port Macquarie on September 12, 2014.
The coronial inquiry, which was launched following the discovery of ‘items of interest’, seeks to determine whether the child is still alive.
“It isn’t presently possible to conclude that he is dead,” Counsel assisting Gerard Craddock SC said.
“The police investigation is ongoing and police are following active leads.”
Mr Craddock approached William’s foster carers in court and asked them how they were as the couple sat beside lead investigator detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin.
Outside court Det Jubelin said there was still plenty of work being done to solve one of Australia’s most perplexing unsolved crimes.
“It’s a matter before the coroner but it is an active investigation,” he told reporters.
Paul Savage, a neighbour who joined in the search when William vanished, dialled into the brief hearing via phone link and will give evidence when the inquest kicks off next year.
Mr Spedding’s solicitor Peter O’Brien said his client had also been summoned to appear when a week-long hearing begins on March 25 before resuming again in August.
The handyman has always strenuously denied any involvement and homicide detectives have previously said he was only one of many persons of interest in the investigation.
Police spent days scouring bushland and neighbouring houses to no avail and an unprecedented $1 million reward for information leading to the boy’s return remains on offer.
NSW deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame ordered the Department of Family and Community Services to provide a statement to the inquest detailing William’s removal by child protection workers and any internal probe into the baffling mystery.
In June, police conducted a new search around his foster grandmother’s property to rule out the possibility little William could have wandered into nearby bushland and got lost.
Ms Grahame visited the site during the operation but it failed to uncover any new leads.
Det Jubelin said at the time those responsible for the country’s most high-profile abduction were still out there.
Originally published as Police chasing ‘active leads’ over missing William Tyrrell
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