<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>337739</docID> <postdate>2025-02-06 16:23:00</postdate> <headline>Marathon inquest into missing toddler nears finish line</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-337740" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax-2.webp" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> <caption>William Tyrrell was wearing a Spider-Man costume before he disappeared on September 12, 2014. (HANDOUT/Department of Justice)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Alex Mitchell</b> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>An inquest into the disappearance of William Tyrrell is nearing conclusion, with dates set for final submissions after five rounds of evidence about the missing toddler.</strong></p> <p>More than 10 years after he disappeared from his foster grandmother's home - and more than five after the inquest started - a coroner has ordered all submissions to be handed up by June 13.</p> <p>The inquest into William's disappearance has examined search efforts for the three-year-old as well as the possible involvement of the foster mother in disposing of his body.</p> <p>The toddler - who was last seen wearing a Spider-Man costume - went missing while playing on the verandah at his foster grandmother's home in Kendall, on the NSW mid-north coast, on September 12, 2014.</p> <p>Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame has ordered counsel assisting the inquiry to file submissions by February 28, while the police commissioner's are due by April 29.</p> <p>All other submissions must be filed by May 30, before responses are handed up by June 13.</p> <p>The coroner will then set down a date to deliver her findings.</p> <p>In November, the fifth batch of evidence to the long-running inquest focused on a 2021 police search for William, along with a theory he died in an accident before his foster mother disposed of the body.</p> <p>The alleged motive was that the woman and her husband would lose custody of another child under their care if the death was uncovered.</p> <p>The foster mother denies having anything to do with William's disappearance.</p> <p>No evidence was presented that anyone had been seen moving William's remains.</p> <p>Ms Grahame noted the lack of proof while admitting a report on the possibility wild dogs could have moved the body.</p> <p>No one has been charged over William's disappearance and a $1 million reward for information stands.</p> <p>A decade-long investigation has involved hundreds of persons of interest and dozens of searches.</p> </body>