William Tyrrell vanished from his foster grandmother’s house after a mystery person ‘asked for directions’ to the street where he disappeared
- William Tyrrell vanished from the garden of a Kendall property in 2014
- A mystery person asked for directions to the street where William disappeared
- A senior constable recalled a person at a local cafe had asked for directions
The first police officer to respond to William Tyrrell's disappearance says his investigation included information that someone had asked for the way to the boy's foster grandmother's street.
Three-year-old William vanished while playing in the garden of the Kendall property on the NSW mid north coast on September 12 in 2014.
Senior Constable Christopher Rowley arrived at 11.06am, 10 minutes after William's foster mother frantically called police to report him missing.
Three-year-old William vanished while playing in the garden of the Kendall property (pictured) on the NSW mid north coast on September 12 in 2014
The first police officer to respond to William Tyrrell's (pictured) disappearance says his investigation included information that someone had asked for the way to the boy's foster grandmother's street
He testified on Thursday at the inquest into William's disappearance and suspected death which is being held at the NSW Coroners Court.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Gerard Craddock SC, asked: '(You) canvassed local businesses to see if anyone expressed any interest in Benaroon Drive, and I think you identified at a cafe a person who could recall someone asking for directions?'
'Yes,' the officer replied.
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Sen Const Rowley searched the family property when he got to the scene and asked another officer to do the same when he arrived.
His initial search did not include the roof space or the garage.
'I would've tried to do it but it was either locked or too heavy for a young child to lift himself,' the senior constable said.
He told the inquest there was a large amount of thick lantana opposite William's foster grandmother's house.
Witnesses at a coronial inquest into the disappearance of William Tyrrell (pictured) have been questioned about sightings of unusual cars
'The young fella wouldn't have (gotten in there). Especially wearing a little nylon Spiderman suit, it would've been like Br'er Rabbit,' he said, citing the Uncle Remus folk tale in which the rabbit becomes increasingly stuck as he fights a 'Tar Baby'.
William's biological parents are the final two witnesses due to front the inquest on Thursday afternoon.
The mother and father 'were in a difficult relationship' and issues brought them to the attention of the Department of Family and Community Services, Mr Craddock said on Monday.
William was a baby when he was placed into foster care in early 2012.
The inquest continues before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame.
Further hearings will be held in August when persons of interest are expected to be called to give evidence.
William's foster mother earlier testified about seeing two vehicles parked outside the home on the morning her son went missing (pictured is an artist's impression of the vehicles)
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