'If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have found our son': Matthew Leveson's parents speak out in support of lead detective taken off the William Tyrrell case
- Parents of Matthew Leveson praised Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin
- They said if it wasn't for him they would still be looking for missing body of son
- Matthew Leveson vanished from Sydney nightclub in 2007 before found in 2017
- Parents praise for detective comes after he was taken off William Tyrrell case
- William Tyrrell's grandmother said she supported dumping of detective Jubelin
- Natalie Norris said she was told nothing about investigation into her nephew
- Detective Jubelin was taken off the case following investigation into his conduct
- He has 'strongly' denied any wrongdoing while working on the Tyrrell case
The parents of Matthew Leveson have slammed the recent decision to drop the lead detective from the William Tyrrell case saying that if it wasn't for him, they would still be looking for the body of their missing son.
Mark and Faye Leveson threw their support behind Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin after he was controversially stood down from the case this week.
'If it wasn’t for him, we’d be out there digging every weekend looking for Matty,' Mrs Leveson told a 7 News reporter.
Detective Jubelin became NSW's most high-profile detective after he was portrayed in the 2012 season Underbelly: Badness.
As a senior homicide investigator, Detective Jubelin worked on well-known cases, including the disappearance of Matthew Leveson from a Sydney nightclub in 2007.
A decade would pass before the body of Mr Leveson was found at the Royal National Park near a small palm tree in May 2017.
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The parents of Matthew Leveson have slammed the recent decision to drop the lead detective from the William Tyrrell case saying that if it wasn't for him, they would still be looking for the body of their missing son (pictured, Faye and Mark Leveson)
As a senior homicide investigator, Detective Jubelin worked on well-known cases, including the disappearance of Matthew Leveson (pictured) from a Sydney nightclub in 2007
Mr Leveson's then-boyfriend Michael Atkins would be arrested and charged with murder but a jury found him not guilty at trial.
It took numerous searches in late 2016 before police finally uncovered the body the following year.
Detective Jubelin was let go from the William Tyrrell case as he faces allegations he used a mobile phone as a listening device without obtaining a warrant and staff management allegations. Detective Jubelin denies all of the allegations.
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Mr Faye said he couldn't understand why the lead detective would be dumped before an inquest into William Tyrrell's disappearance is due to begin this month.
While the dismissal of Mr Jubelin's comes as a shock to the Levesons, the biological grandmother of William Tyrrell treated it as good news.
Natalie Norris did not mince her words when asked what she thought about Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin being stood down from the investigation into William's disappearance, amid allegations of misconduct.
'He makes me so angry', Ms Norris said on Friday from her home on the NSW mid north coast.
Detective Jubelin lead Strike Force Rosann - the squad set up to search for William - who went missing from his foster grandmother's home on the NSW mid north coast on September 12, 2014 while dressed in a Spiderman suit.
'He's treated Karlie and Brendan (William's biological parents) like they don't matter, and they do (matter).'
Ms Norris said she has never met Detective Jubelin, nor has she ever spoken to him, which she claims has added to her 'torment' during the time William has been missing.
'I know he speaks to the foster parents all the time and he keeps them informed with the investigation. But he's my grandson and I get told nothing.'
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin (pictured) is NSW's most high-profile detective after he was portrayed in the 2012 season Underbelly: Badness
While the dismissal of Mr Jubelin's comes as a shock to the Levesons, the biological grandmother of William Tyrrell (pictured) treated it as good news
'The whole thing, the whole scenario disgusts me,' Ms Norris said of not being kept informed.
NSW Police confirmed 'an internal investigation is currently underway' by Professional Standards Command into Detective Jubelin.
Detective Jubelin told the ABC on Friday he 'strongly denies' any wrongdoing while leading the Tyrrell case, and will continue to work in the homicide unit.
Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw has taken over as the lead investigator on the team, more than four years after William's disappearance.
Three-year-old William vanished on September 12, 2014, and few leads have emerged as to who took him and where since then, despite a $1 million reward.
Detectives identified 700 persons of interest, gathered more than 4,000 pieces of evidence, received more than 15,000 tips, and conducted hundreds of interviews.
Detective Jubelin took over in early 2015 and last year led a new three-week search of bushland near William's foster grandmother's home in Kendall near Port Macquarie.
'I dare say that with the intense interest in William's disappearance that someone watching this now might be feeling very uncomfortable… I'd suggest you come to us before we come to you,' he said in June.
Natalie Norris (pictured) did not mince her words when asked what she thought about Detective Chief Inspector Jubelin being stood down from the investigation into William's disappearance, amid allegations of misconduct
Three-year-old William vanished on September 12, 2014, and few leads have emerged as to who took him and where since then, despite a $1 million reward
This renewed appeal and large scale search yielded nothing of significance, but police still believe William could be alive.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Gerard Craddock SC, last year told a directions hearing for the inquest it wasn't possible to conclude William was dead.
'The police investigation into his disappearance is ongoing and police are following active leads at present,' he said.
William's family made an emotional appeal on the fourth anniversary of his disappearance in September.
'Today marks four tragic years since we last saw little William. Four years of heartache and four years of endless tears for everyone who held him dear - not knowing where he is or what has happened to him,' they said.
'Today also marks the gift of unending love, hope and support from across Australia and around the globe.
'To all those who have cared; to all those who have supported William's loved ones in our quest to find him... our sincerest thanks for not giving up on our boy...
'You have our complete trust and our deepest gratitude for your continued commitment to finding out what has happened to William. Our heartfelt thanks to you all.'
Detective Jubelin in 2017 admitted he was 'frustrated' that the William Tyrrell case was unsolved but vowed to carry on.
'We're not giving up on this investigation,' he said at the time.
'It doesn't sit well with me personally that three years down the track we haven't solved [it].'
Detective Jubelin in 2017 admitted he was 'frustrated' that the William Tyrrell case was unsolved but vowed to carry on
Timeline of William Tyrrell's disappearance
Still missing: William Tyrrell vanished from his foster grandmother's home three-and-a-half years ago
By Australian Associated Press
2014
September 12 - Dressed in a Spiderman outfit, three-year-old William Tyrrell goes missing from the garden while visiting members of his foster family in Kendall, about 40 kilometres south of Port Macquarie.
September 21 - Police stop searching for the missing boy after scouring surrounding bushland and neighbouring houses.
2015
January 20 - Police search the home and business of a washing machine repairman, who had been due to carry out repairs at the Kendall house at the time the three-year-old went missing.
Detectives take items for testing including a mattress, computer and vehicles. They drain his septic tank.
January 23 - The washing machine repairman publicly denies any involvement in William's disappearance and says he and his wife are on the verge of a breakdown due to the public attention.
February 19 - Homicide detectives take over the case and say it's likely William was abducted.
March 2 - Police fruitlessly search an area of bushland near Bonny Hills for three days after a tip-off.
April 17 - William's foster parents speak publicly for the first time in an emotional video released through police which does not identify them.
April 17 - Police say the boy may have been a victim of a pedophile ring.
September 6 - The Nine Network's 60 Minutes airs a special report into the case, revealing two suspicious cars were parked on the street the morning William went missing.
September 12 - 'Where's William' week is launched one year after he disappeared.
2016
September 12 - A $1 million reward is offered for information leading to William's return.
2017
August 24 - William's foster child status is revealed after a court ruling.
2018
January 22 - Daily Mail Australia reveals Karlie Tyrrell charged for spitting at a cop
January 29 - Karlie Tyrrell enters guilty plea for spitting incident
June 12 - NSW Police announce the start of a four-week forensic search of bushland in Kendall conducted by Strike Force Rosann.
June 14 - William's grandmother scolds police who have failed to find the young boy after four years, and claims their latest search is 'just for show'.
June 26 - The forensic search continues on what would have been William's seventh birthday.
June 27 - Strike Force Rosann announces it will move the search to an 800sqm block of bushland just 4km from where William was last seen alive.
June 5 - The latest search ends with Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin saying the case could soon go to a coroner.
August - Investigation leader Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin and a sergeant get into a fight in a disagreement during a briefing
September 13 - Police reveal they found a burned out car wreck belonging to a former person of interest
December 19 - Coroners say William could still be alive and the inquest will determine if he died or not
2019
February - DCI Jubelin is removed from the investigation amid a misconduct probe
March 25 - The inquest into William Tyrrell's disappearance begins
