Disturbing details emerge about former suspect in William Tyrrell's disappearance
An investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell has raised questions about why a man who was once considered a person of interest was not called by police to give evidence on the case.
The man, who has not been named, allegedly had a shrine of the missing boy at the end of his bed, containing a collage of pictures and news reports, as well as handwritten poetry quoting Gary Jubelin, the former lead detective on the case.
Mr Jubelin, who was taken off the investigation in 2019, has previously written to NSW’s director of inquests saying the man’s behaviour was “concerning” and he should be called as a witness.
However, the man shared with news.com.au's investigative podcast into Tyrrell's disappearance revealed that he was never called to give evidence.
When questioned by the outlet's podcast - which clarified that they were not suggesting any wrongdoing by the man who has never been charged with any offences - he said he was “different from the mainstream” and denied any involvement in the case, despite not having an alibi for the day the then three-year-old disappeared.
The man, whose property is a few hundred metres through the bush from Benaroon Dr where William went missing, said he was home alone at the time the toddler was reported missing.
The man's property was searched two days after William was last seen, and was placed under police surveillance years later. During this time, police uncovered barrels of small animal bones at his property.
When asked about them, the man first denied they were there, then claimed they were planted on his property by police.
“What I don’t like is the way people who are slightly different are singled out here,” he said.
“They get harassed, they get persecuted because they’re odd.”
Asked about the police investigation, he said, “I don’t like the way people are presumed guilty until proven innocent."
“It could have been someone who was driving past (who was responsible for William’s disappearance). That’s as likely as anything else isn’t it?"
Mr Jubelin, who left the police in 2019 and was subsequently convicted of illicitly recording conversations with another person of interest, said he did not question the man in detail at the time as he expected him to be called at the inquest.
“(The man) should at the very least be called as a witness,” Mr Jubelin wrote to coronial officials in 2020 after leaving the police force.
“There were a number of things about (the man) that I consider concerning.”
“What was not put to him and is most concerning is he had what could best be described as a shrine to William Tyrrell at the end of his bed. This included a picture of William and quotes from myself regarding the investigation."
“I had an expectation this would be done at the inquest.”
Image credits: NSW Police