It is the story we all are hoping will have an end - and soon. The final chapter however, whenever it is written, we know will be a tragic one.
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For seven years, a mountain of growing evidence has been gathered. The investigation has also been plagued by speculation, rumours and distractions. And still is.
And once again, as we await the findings of a coronial inquest into William's disappearance, Strike Force Rosann has swooped in and launched a 'high intensity' search back at the place where this awful story all began. And to a local community no longer surprised by their presence.
Do we have any answers yet? No.
Are we likely to have any soon? Probably not.
It is a suspected crime of the darkest and most hideous kind. It involves a child and in the thousands of pieces of evidence collected, only one crucial piece to the puzzle is missing - someone, or several people, are not telling the truth.
Every time the Tyrrell spotlight is shone on Kendall on the NSW Mid North Coast, the scab is knocked off a slowly healing wound for this small village community - itself still in recovery mode from horrific bushfires and devastating floods that delivered two more rounds of heartache and loss.
And every time Benaroon Drive fills overnight with police, forensic teams and the herd of journalists all wanting that breaking headline, there are neighbours who watch on quietly as their piece of paradise is darkened by the very raw reminder that at the centre of it all is a child - a child named William.
A little boy who amid all the noise and drama of an investigation desperately trying to find answers, cannot be forgotten.
William Tyrrell was three when he disappeared without a trace. His final sounds were those of joy, freedom, innocence.
We will not forget William - the boy who thought he could be Spiderman. A child who had a lifetime ahead of him, but wasn't given a chance.
Search area spans a one kilometre radius
The search back at Kendall continues with rain potentially hampering efforts into next week.
A hessian bag was the latest item exhumed from a search area off Cobb and Co Road, not far from the home formerly owned by William's late foster grandmother and from where he disappeared in 2014.
The item was found by investigative search teams near the site where a piece of blue cloth was found on Friday. Both items have been bagged as evidence and will be sent away for forensic testing.
The Strike Force Rosann search could stretch out over several weeks, even months, as they focus their attention to a one kilometre radius around the Benaroon Drive home.
Ground penetrating radar equipment was used on the concrete slab underneath the home earlier in the week while the gardens below the balcony were excavated and the soil sifted.
Cadaver dogs have also been used at the three locations of interest.
Water was drained from a nearby creek with the guidance of specialist hydrologist, Professor Jon Olley, who is working with and providing advice to police investigators.
Professor Olley was a part of the team who helped find murdered Queensland schoolboy Daniel Morcombe's remains in 2011.
What we know so far
- Forensic investigations are focusing specifically on the balcony and gardens of the Benaroon Drive home where William disappeared. The home was formerly owned by William's late foster grandmother.
- Specialist forensic teams with cadaver dogs are examining a site of Cobb and Co Rd/Batar Creek Rd for soil disturbances or items of interest.
- A car formerly owned by William's foster grandmother has been seized for forensic investigation.
- Police are considering a theory William may have fallen from the balcony and died and his body was taken somewhere else.
- A piece of light blue cloth and a hessian bag found in a creek near Cobb and Co Rd has been sent off for forensic testing.
- Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has claimed the initial investigation 'wasted time'; a statement slammed by former chief detective and head of Strike Force Rosann Gary Jubelin.
- The spotlight is being shone on William's foster parents. Mr Jubelin said after a 'covert operation' during his part of the investigation they were ruled out as persons of interest.
- Strike Force Rosann has 'one particular person' of interest. They are looking for William Tyrrell's remains.
- A Coronial Inquest into the boy's disappearance is ongoing.
For our full coverage of the search so far, read more:
- "We are looking for the remains of William Tyrrell"
- One suspect, three key search areas in renewed search for remains
- Back where it all started: garden focus of William Tyrrell search
- Strike Force Rosann to build on solid evidence base in targeted William Tyrrell search
- Item discovery compared to Spiderman suit ruled out
- Forensic focus turns to garage; former Tyrrell detective slams 'wasted time' claims
- Kendall community's hope for closure in tragic Tyrrell story
- Strike Force to drain creek at Kendall
- Piece of blue cloth sent to forensics from Tyrrell creek search site
