Police say four-week search a change of tack in investigation that had focused on finding boy alive

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Police have renewed their efforts to find missing toddler William Tyrrell. Four years after he disappeared, police have announced they will begin a four-week search of bushland at Kendall on the New South Wales mid-north coast on Wednesday.



William was three when he disappeared from his grandmother’s home in Kendall near Port Macquarie in 2014. Despite an exhaustive search and $1m reward for information leading to his discovery, police have been unable to break open the case.

• Sign up to receive the top stories every morning

On Wednesday, though, officers will begin a “large-scale forensic search” as part of the ongoing investigation into his disappearance.

In a statement police said the four-week search was a change of tack from the original search.

“The initial search, while extensive, was focused only on finding William – a little boy who was lost – and not with a view of deliberate human intervention,” police said in a statement.

“William was not located, and the search did not uncover any evidence relevant to his disappearance.

William Tyrrell's foster family vows to keep searching for ‘precious little boy’ Read more

“Detectives and analysts from the state crime command’s homicide squad are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding William’s disappearance under strike force Rosann.

“As part of ongoing investigations ... detectives will commence a four-week forensic search of bushland at Kendall [on Wednesday.

“The operation is being coordinated by search experts from the public order and riot squad.”