Charlotte Foster
Legal

New “corpse disposal” theory tested in William Tyrrell inquest

A police theory that William Tyrrell's foster mother unlawfully disposed of the child's body after he died of an accident is set to be put before the court in an inquest into Tyrrell's disappearance. 

On Monday, counsel assisting Gerard Craddock SC reopened the inquest for a fifth round of evidence, saying the focus would be on the viability of the theory that William's body was purposefully disposed of. 

Police have alleged that after the then three-year-old died on the Kendall property on the mid-north NSW coast in September 2014, the foster mum might have loaded his body into her mother’s Mazda before driving down the road to dispose of his remains.

Deputy NSW coroner Harriet Grahame heard in court that it was only then that she may have called triple zero to report the child missing. 

“Police assert that she must have quickly resolved that if the accidental death were to be discovered, she might lose (her other foster child),” Craddock said.

Tyrrell's foster mother has long denied having any involvement with William's disappearance. 

Later in the inquest, evidence is set to be given from a truck driver who drove past where the foster mother allegedly disposed of the body at the time.

The inquest into William’s disappearance began in March 2019 but was adjourned in October 2020.

No one has been charged and a $1 million reward for information stands.

Image credits: NSW Police

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legal, William Tyrrell, inquest