Birthdays and Christmases have come and gone in the two years since William Tyrrell disappeared from his grandmother’s yard on the NSW mid-north coast.
The three-year-old toddler vanished while wearing his Spiderman suit on the morning of September 12, 2014 in Kendall, NSW, and police are still searching for answers as to what happened.
Strike Force Rosann has been charged with solving the case since 2014 and today police announced that the NSW government are putting up a $1 million reward for or information that leads to the recovery of William Tyrrell.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin, were joined by NSW Premier Mike Baird, to announce the landmark reward today.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to providing the NSW Police Force with everything that might be required to bring answers to families impacted by unsolved crimes,” the Commissioner said.
“This is a unique reward, it does not require the charge and conviction of any person(s), it relates to the recovery of William Tyrrell.
“By offering a reward at this point in the investigation, we are appealing directly to those who know something but have not previously been inclined to assist.”
As part of the announcement of the reward, police are also reminding the community that they welcome potential sightings, but urged the use of common sense.
“Remember, two years has passed; William is now five-years-old and highly unlikely to be wearing a Spiderman outfit,” Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
“We are seeking specific information from the community – it’s most important for those who know something about what happened to William Tyrrell to tell someone.
“Someone knows what happened: you might not be the one who took him, but you know, and you might not be the only person who knows,” Det Ch Insp Jubelin said.
Despite an ongoing search no trace has been found of William.
The facts about missing toddler William Tyrrell
When was William last seen?
William disappeared from his grandmother’s home in Benaroon Drive, Kendall, on the NSW Mid North Coast at 10:30am on September 12.
Police believe the toddler disappeared in a five-minute window while playing alongside his sister in his grandmother’s yard.
What does he look like?
William has been described as being of Caucasian appearance with dark hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a Spider Man suit.
What is being done to find William?
An initial bushland search for William, which included police and dozens of volunteers, failed to find the boy. Since September 2014 Strike Force Rosann has been formed to investigate the disappearance and while some persons of interest have been named there have been no arrests made.
What can you do?
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Police remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
