Case 322: William Tyrrell (Part 2) - Detailed Summary

Introduction

In this gripping continuation of the William Tyrrell case, Casefile True Crime delves deeper into the complex web of investigations, allegations, and legal battles surrounding the disappearance of three-year-old William Tyrrell. Released on July 26, 2025, this episode meticulously explores the developments that unfolded over the years, shedding light on key individuals, police actions, and the enduring quest for answers.

1. Renewed Police Efforts and Suspect Focus

Three years after William's disappearance, Detective Gary Jubilin reignited public interest by addressing the case publicly for the first time in 12 months. [04:30]

Detective Jubilin clarified that both William's foster and biological parents had been ruled out as suspects, emphasizing their innocence and warm upbringing:

"We're not interested in sightings of a child running around in a Spider-Man suit playing in the McDonald's car park. What we are interested in is people that have genuine information." [06:45]

Despite clearing the foster family, the police faced challenges with false leads and unverified reports. Amidst this, Paul Savage emerged as a person of interest due to his proximity and suspicious behavior.

2. Paul Savage: A Person of Interest

Paul Savage, a retiree in his late 70s living near William's last known location, became a focal point of suspicion. Initial interviews revealed that Savage was the only individual outside the foster family who heard the children playing on the morning William disappeared. [12:00]

Key observations about Savage:

• Claimed to have gotten lost during his search for William, despite regular walks in the area.
• Held onto a missing covert camera for six weeks before reporting it.
• Displayed odd behaviors, including harassment complaints filed against him.

Detective Jubilin's suspicions further intensified when surveillance revealed Savage talking to himself:

"You know I love you, angel. I bloody screwed up, eh?" [40:00]

A strategic move involved planting a Spider-Man suit in Savage's usual walking path to observe his reactions. The mixed responses added ambiguity to his involvement:

"Hey, I'm not interested in your bullshit, mate. You're a little boy. You're nobody." [56:30]

Ultimately, despite mounting suspicions and covert surveillance, no concrete evidence linked Savage to William's disappearance, leading to his eventual clearance as a person of interest.

3. Frank Abbott: A Shadow from the Past

Frank Abbott, a white goods repairman with a notorious history, re-emerged as a suspect. Abbott's criminal record included charges for sexual abuse and, controversially, a past involvement in an unsolved murder case. [32:15]

Frank Abbott had allegedly confessed to fellow inmates about past crimes, but faced acquittals due to insufficient evidence. Despite his troubled past, no direct evidence connected him to William's case until hints surfaced years later:

"I know where William Tyrrell is. Why don't you check Geoff Owen's place?" [59:20]

This revelation pointed towards Geoff Owen, another individual with connections to William's foster grandmother, Mary Saunders. However, investigations into Owen and Abbott yielded no substantial leads, leaving the case mired in uncertainty.

4. Detective Gary Jubilin: Controversy and Conviction

As the investigation progressed, Detective Jubilin's methods came under scrutiny. His aggressive pursuit of Paul Savage without sufficient evidence led to allegations of misconduct. [72:50]

The pivotal moment occurred when it was revealed that Jubilin had recorded conversations with Savage without a proper warrant, breaching the Surveillance Devices Act:

"I'm obviously disappointed by the decision of the court. The court says that I went too hard to find out what happened to William Tyrrell." [80:15]

Jubilin faced legal consequences, receiving fines and being barred from interacting with the strike force and William's family. Despite his conviction, Jubilin maintained his innocence and commitment to solving William's case.

5. The Coroners Inquest and Allegations Against the Foster Parents

In March 2019, the case was referred to the Coroner for a formal inquest. This period saw intense scrutiny of William's foster parents, Peter and Angela. [98:40]

Key points from the inquest:

• Angela's Photograph: The timestamp discrepancy of the last photo of William raised suspicions. Originally dated at 7:39 AM, metadata suggested it was taken at 9:37 AM. Angela attributed this to a misset camera clock.
• Witness Testimonies: Ronald Chapman and others provided conflicting accounts, but forensic experts couldn't definitively link any sightings to William.
• Angela's Changing Testimony: Initially vague, Angela later described a suspicious large man observing her, but evidence remained inconclusive.

Dr. Helen Patterson, a memory specialist, suggested that some witness testimonies might have been influenced by external information, potentially leading to false memories.

6. Subsequent Investigations and Legal Battles

Years of investigations led to repeated recommendations to charge Angela with interference and perverting the course of justice, despite the absence of physical evidence. [128:00]

In 2023, police submitted a brief of evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions, recommending charges against Angela while clearing Peter. However, the community and William's family remained skeptical due to lack of tangible proof.

Josephine Chumley's analysis highlighted the implausibility of Angela committing the alleged crimes within the narrow time frame between the last photograph and the missing hour.

Moreover, Angela and Peter faced unrelated child abuse charges based on covert recordings, adding layers of complexity to their public image. Despite admitting to some abusive behaviors, they were ultimately given lenient sentences, further fueling public debate over their innocence or guilt in William's disappearance.

7. Public and Media Reaction

The relentless pursuit by the police, coupled with media scrutiny, left William's foster parents ostracized and under constant harassment. Public opinion was divided, with some sympathizing with the couple while others sided with the police's suspicions.

Journalists and criminologists criticized the investigation's direction, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and the detrimental impact of unverified allegations on innocent individuals.

8. Current Status and Ongoing Mysteries

As of the episode's release in July 2025, William Tyrrell remains missing. The coroner's inquest concluded without any definitive findings, maintaining an open finding that confirms William's death but offering no clarity on the circumstances. [155:30]

Key takeaways:

• No one has been arrested or charged directly related to William's disappearance.
• Ongoing police searches and investigations continue to offer sporadic hope but no breakthroughs.
• William's family remains steadfast in their search, with his sister expressing a heartfelt resolve to become a detective to find him.

William's foster mother, Angela, maintains her innocence, urging the public and authorities to focus on finding the true perpetrator rather than persecuting the foster family without evidence.

Conclusion

Case 322: William Tyrrell (Part 2) paints a poignant and intricate picture of a family devastated by loss, a police force grappling with dead ends and misconduct, and a community torn between sympathy and suspicion. The enduring mystery of William's disappearance underscores the profound challenges in true crime investigations, where the quest for truth often intersects with human fallibility and systemic flaws.

For those seeking justice and closure, the case of William Tyrrell remains a haunting reminder of the relentless pursuit that defines the true crime landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Detective Gary Jubilin:

  "It's three years down the track, let's be realistic, we're not interested in sightings of a child running around in a Spider-Man suit playing in the McDonald's car park. What we are interested in is people that have genuine information." [06:45]

• Paul Savage:

  "You know I love you, angel. I bloody screwed up, eh?" [40:00]

• William's Sister, Lindsay:

  "We lost my innocent brother. He needs to be found." [206:55]

• Angela Tyrrell:

  "We are angry and frustrated and we want answers. Life will never be the same again." [198:20]

Disclaimer: Casefile True Crime’s summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to present an unbiased and factual recount of the events as described. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.