Where is Daniel Morcombe? | 4. The Web

Summary

Podcast Summary: Where is Daniel Morcombe? | Episode 4: The Web

Podcast: The Binge Cases: Where is Daniel Morcombe?
Host: Matt Angel, Sony Music Entertainment
Date: October 22, 2025

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Overview

Episode 4, “The Web,” deepens the investigation into the disappearance of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe from a Queensland bus stop in 2003. The episode explores the tangled web of leads, suspects, confessions, and false alarms that complicated one of Australia’s most intense child abduction cases. It focuses on the role of recidivist offenders—including Douglas Jackway—and the increasingly desperate, sometimes fraught, efforts by Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, to uncover the truth, as official police investigation momentum begins to wane.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Prime Suspect: Douglas Jackway

• Early in the episode (03:35–11:12), Deputy Inspector Mike Condon zeroes in on Douglas Jackway following a disturbing letter intercepted in prison. The letter, purportedly from Jackway’s girlfriend, implicates him in Daniel’s disappearance.

  • Douglas Jackway’s Background: Psychologist Dr. Chris Alroe recounts Jackway’s violent 1995 abduction and assault of a nine-year-old boy, painting Jackway as a high-risk, “biological, psychopathic paedophile.”
  • Expert Analysis: Dr. Alroe explains why Jackway stood out:

    “What he did was pretty extraordinary. His treatment of that boy was very disturbed… reminiscent of John Fraser, the serial killer.” (07:48, Dr. Chris Alroe)

  • Comparison to Serial Killers: Jackway is compared to notorious offender Leonard John Fraser, both for his lack of empathy and manipulative behavior.

• Pathological Lying and Manipulation (12:51–14:47):
  Jackway’s ever-changing alibis and intimidation of associates frustrate police. Prison informants claim he confessed to killing Daniel, but detectives suspect opportunistic fabrications common in prison culture.

  “They are pathologic liars. It’s like shifting sands…you just keep changing the story. You can’t pin these people down.” (13:13, Dr. Alroe)

• Jackway’s Release and Missed Opportunities (11:40–12:51):
  Failure of law reform timing allowed Jackway’s release shortly before Daniel’s disappearance. Dr. Alroe is incredulous about high-risk offenders like Jackway being allowed to live freely, especially in proximity to children.

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The Morcombes’ Frustration and Desperate Pursuit

• False Leads and Red Herrings (15:00–21:54):

  • Anna Grossgroots (a local deputy mayor) brings Daniel’s parents a tip from a prison inmate suggesting a new suspect—Bill Dooley, a convicted paedophile with a history of trying to inject himself into the case.

• Direct Involvement and Distrust of Police (19:57–20:39):

  • Bruce and Denise Morcombe increasingly take investigation into their own hands, losing faith in detectives’ follow-through:

    “I thought, you lazy bitch…perhaps, just perhaps, this information is critical in finding the answer…” (19:57, Bruce Morcombe)

• The Dungeon Story and the Map (21:50–25:13):

  • Elise Smyth, an inmate and girlfriend to key suspects, claims direct involvement in Daniel’s abduction and murder. Her disturbing story involves a hidden “dungeon,” drugs, and sexual abuse, with a crude map she draws pointing to a potential burial site.

  • The Search for Daniel’s Remains (25:06–27:44):
    Denise, Bruce, Anna, and Russell Eggie search the bushland described in the map and unearth a piece of red cloth—reminiscent of Daniel’s shirt. Police at first take the find seriously, but then ignore it.

    “Julie Elliott…opened up his drawer. He said, ‘I’ve got it here.’…The red cloth was still inside.” (27:09, Denise Morcombe)
    The cloth is never tested, languishing in a police desk drawer, leaving Bruce and Denise devastated and furious.

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Grief, Marital Strain, and Finding Resilience

• Erosion of Trust and the Case Going Cold (27:59–28:48):

  • With no new leads, police signal the investigation winding down—an emotional blow to Daniel’s family.

• Personal Impact and Darkest Moments (29:40–32:24):

  • Denise and Bruce’s marriage is strained almost to breaking point:

    “I remember saying that I wanted to have a divorce, but he said, ‘No, I’m not divorcing you, because whoever took Daniel is not going to destroy this family.’” (30:08, Denise Morcombe)

  • Denise openly discusses a suicide attempt and the long, silent struggle that follows. Walking and physical activity become her outlet as she grapples with enduring grief.

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The Turning Point: Coronial Inquest

• Taking Charge, New Hope (33:18–end):

  • Refusing to let Daniel’s case fade, Bruce researches the coroner’s act himself, seeking a new legal avenue.

    “You quickly realize it’s a very powerful unit that I think is underutilized.” (33:18, Bruce Morcombe)

  • The family’s push for a coronial inquest marks a new phase, shifting momentum and offering hope for a breakthrough.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On recidivist paedophiles:

  “You can’t change paedophiles… you can’t turn shit around. You can’t polish a turd.” (11:12, Detective Dennis Martin via Dr. Alroe)

• On systemic failure:

  “How are they being given licenses and allowed to drive around the place? They’re extremely dangerous people.” (12:14, Dr. Chris Alroe)

• On the futility of dealing with pathological offenders:

  “Inmates would fabricate stories in hopes of garnering lighter sentences or police favor… spinning a web of lies to help themselves.” (14:24, Matt Angel)

• On the trauma and determination of Daniel’s parents:

  “I think we make a conscious decision to do whatever we can to stick together and not destroy the family as well.” (30:27, Denise Morcombe)

• On police failings and their aftermath:

  “Oh, we’re doing all we can and blah, blah, blah… but this red material was never tested.” (27:44, Denise Morcombe)

• On grief:

  “The grief that results from losing a child… is its own formidable force. Something that entirely changes the way you are in the world…” (28:48, Matt Angel)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:35 – Introduction of Douglas Jackway via Dr. Alroe’s expert commentary
• 06:53–11:12 – In-depth psychological analysis of Jackway
• 12:51–14:47 – Police interviews with Jackway and informant confessions
• 19:57 – Bruce Morcombe vents about police apathy
• 21:50–27:44 – The Smyth confession, bushland search, and discovery of red cloth
• 29:40–32:24 – Denise Morcombe discusses grief, suicide attempt, and recovery
• 33:18–end – The shift to forcing a coronial inquest as a last avenue

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Conclusion

“The Web” shows how Daniel Morcombe’s case became a tangle of lies, dead ends, and institutional oversights, but also reveals the tenacious and anguished heart of Daniel’s family. As the official investigation falters, the Morcombes’ resourcefulness and refusal to accept defeat breathe new life into the search—culminating in the beginnings of a coronial inquest that may finally deliver answers. The episode is a stark, emotional portrayal of how justice for a lost child can hinge as much on family resolve as on the system that is supposed to protect them.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Americans United. Listen to all episodes of where is Daniel Morcom? Ad free right now by subscribing to the binge, visit the binge channel on Apple Podcasts and hit subscribe at the top of the page or visit getthebinge.com to get access. Wherever you listen the binge feed your true crime obsession. The binge campsite Media. This episode contains detailed accounts of child sexual abuse, discussions of psychopathy and violent crime, and references to suicide. Please listen with care. The three year anniversary of Daniel's abduction approached and Deputy Inspector Mike Condon and his team were beyond frustrated. Yes, there were always new leads to follow, but investigators were going in circles. The same few suspects kept rising to the surface, but there was never enough evidence to pinpoint any one of them. Unless you asked Mike Condon. He had his prime suspect. Especially after receiving a letter which had been intercepted by prison officers at the Woolston Correctional Center. In August of in 2006, a woman named Danielle Richardson had written to her incarcerated boyfriend. I can't answer it anymore. Daniel Morcom's picture is in the paper. It's on tv. I see him when I sleep. All the time. I'm going off my head, what we've done to him. I have to clear my conscious soon. I say you do the same. I will go to the police soon. You're in jail now. What does it matter if you stay there? You Killed that poor kid. His parents need a no. Danielle Richardson's boyfriend. The person the letter was addressed to, it was Douglas Jackway. He was the first person of interest interviewed. Police had reason to believe he was near the overpass when Daniel disappeared. And he drove a blue car that matched the many eyewitness accounts.

[C]

Foreign.

[B]

I'm Matt angel and from Sony Music Entertainment and Campsite Media, this is where is Daniel Morcom? Episode 4 the we if you want to get into the mind of someone like Douglas Jackway, you need to find someone who's been there. Someone like forensic psychologist Chris Alroe.

[D]

I encountered Jackoway in the Queensland prison system not long after he was charged with the offence of attempted rape of a boy in the area of Tatham Sands.

[B]

This was back in 1995, eight years before Daniel disappeared. Jackoway was just 18. Jackaway was driving through the small town when he spotted a group of young boys riding their bikes. He stalked them from behind the wheel of his car for a bit. Then he pulled over and got out to ask the boys for directions.

[D]

He beat one and drove the others off. And then he assaulted the last boy, who was nine years of age.

[B]

The boy's bike helmet was still on his head when Jackoway threw him into the car and sped away. They didn't make it very far before Jackway crashed into a bridge. He hurried from the car, pulling the terrified child behind him, dragged him off.

[D]

The bush and did various sexual things to him. Inserted his finger. There's some debate as to whether he was successful in actually using his genitals. There was some doubt about that. There was a woman in the vicinity who saw what had happened to the boys and ran off and got the police. Fortunately, and the police arrived soon afterwards to find Jacoi naked and this boy.

[B]

The cop wasn't the only one who got to the scene to discover Jackaway in the act. The boy's father arrived around the same time.

[D]

Jackaway wanted to use the boy as a hostage to escape. Claimed that he had a knife with which he had cut the boy's throat. And the boy called out, no, he doesn't have a knife. So the police were able to successfully apprehend him. This boy was quite extraordinary, how he was coping with it.

[B]

Jackway was sentenced to eight years for the violent abduction and sexual assault. At the time, Chris was working as a consulting psychiatrist in the prison system. He spent his days with convicted pedophiles. But every now and then one would come along and leave a lasting impression. For Chris, that was the case with Jackoway. In the pictures I've seen, Jackoway's far from the skinny, pasty central casting pedophile we often see in movies. He's tattooed and muscular. He wears low neck tank tops. He'd fit him well at a biker bar. But that's not what grabbed Chris Alro. It was Jackoway's eyes. They were hollow, void of any feeling.

[D]

I suppose you would regard this as a lack of empathy.

[B]

A lack of empathy is something we tend to associate with psychopaths, but it's not always so clear cut.

[D]

Now, some of my colleagues might disagree with me, but I think most of them would accept the fact that a biological psychopath, from the point of view of a professional doctor, would be someone who has a history of serious offences, who, given the opportunity, will do something very nasty to someone with physical nature or kill them and not be concerned about it. And sexual offences. That's your biological psychopath.

[B]

From a clinical perspective, most pedophiles aren't psychopaths. But Jack Way, Chris's professional opinion was that he was without a doubt the worst of the worst, a biological, psychopathic pedophile.

[D]

What he did was pretty extraordinary. His treatment of that boy was very disturbed. You know, he's reminiscent of John Fraser, the serial killer. He reminded me very much of him.

[B]

Leonard John Fraser is one of the most infamous serial killers in Australia's history. He'd spent the larger part of his life behind bars for a number of brutal rapes. The crimes earned him the nickname the Rockhampton Rapist. But Fraser got out and graduated to murder. Douglas Jackoway may not have gone that far, yet he may not have murdered the boy he abducted and sexually assaulted in 1995. But Dr. Chris Alroe believes that's only because he was caught before he had the chance.

[D]

There's no doubt in my mind that if he was alone and no one knew that he had the child, the child would be killed.

[B]

There was another element of Fraser's story that earned him notoriety. He had confessed to murdering a number of people, including a 14 year old girl named Natasha Ryan, who had been missing for years. Fraser drew detailed maps showing where Natasha's remains could be found. But then, during his trial in 2003, Natasha Ryan was found alive. She had been living in hiding with her boyfriend. So Fraser had simply lied, leading detectives down a trail of red herrings. Alro worked with both Fraser and Jackway and he saw undeniable similarities. These were truly dangerous men.

[D]

When you meet them, you immediately are Struck with the ideas. I don't want to bump into this person in a dark night out in the street, you know, unempathetic primitive people, the way they think.

[B]

An important part of Chris Job in the prison System back in 1995 was advising on whether these criminals should be considered for release, reintegrated into society. In Alro's opinion, Fraser and Jacoi were the types of criminals who should never be freed. Their dangerous urges were not a disease, not something that anyone could ever fix.

[D]

I always opposed the idea that if they undertook a course of treatment carried out by psychologists that would lessen their sentence or enable them to be discharged from prison. In the Jacob's case, he's been given two of his courses, but they never change. The authorities don't seem to understand this and psychologists don't seem to understand this as well. They look at this behaviour and they think these people must be mentally ill, they must be mad to do what they're doing. But that's not the case. This is their personality, this is the way they're designed, whether by their circumstances or their biology, this is what you end up with, with. These people are dedicated to what they do. They're cutting, they're planning. These people think about molesting children every day. They're obsessed with.

[B]

Reminds me of something. One of the task Force Argos detectives, Dennis Martin, said to me, you can't change paedophiles. Oh, they may have been good in their time, we can turn them around. No, you can't turn shit around. You can't polish a turd. All you can do is present them opportunities or lessen that presentation of opportunities to stop the offending. That's how Al Rowe thinks of Douglas Jackway.

[D]

When I saw him in prison, I felt that he probably should be kept in jail. But there was no legal way of doing that.

[B]

In the early 2000s, Queensland was in the process of overhauling its laws around the management of sex offenders. The new Dangerous Prisoners act gave authorities the power to extend prison sentences for high risk pedophiles. But the law came into effect too late to apply to Jackway, even though psychologists like Dr. Chris Alroe had flagged him as a high risk recidivist with psychopathic traits. There was nothing to stop him from walking free In November of 2003, just one month before Daniel Morcomb's disappearance.

[D]

I mean, it's one thing to know that he'd actually been released, it's another to know that he's actually in the area where Daniel Morcomb is there's no doubt that Jacob was in the vicinity. Now, it's very disturbing to think that this little boy is there waiting on the bus stop and you have these very disturbed sexual psychopaths driving around the place, you know, looking for children. When I looked at her, I thought, no, what's he doing out? How are they being given licenses and allowed to drive around the place? They're extremely dangerous people. So when later on it was all coming out, I wasn't at all surprised.

[B]

Jaque was questioned by police on December 10, 2003, less than 72 hours after Daniel vanished. Then again on December 11, and again on December 12. From one questioning to the next, his story and his supposed whereabouts during the time in question kept changing.

[D]

They are pathologic liars. It's like shifting sands. Now that's a bit of a defense when you think about it. You just keep changing the story. You can't pin these people down. It's almost like a deliberate ploy.

[B]

Jackway had also intimidated several of his associates into lying about his whereabouts on December 7. So the circumstantial evidence was there, but investigators had nothing concrete. Then in 2004, Jackway was convicted for the 1991 rape of a nine year old girl. He was just 13 at the time and back behind bars. Before long, inmates started coming forward one after another, claiming that Jaque had confessed to murdering Daniel Morcom and that the body would never be found. But investigators began to wonder, were these genuine leads? This was something they had to look out for. In prison culture, inmates would fabricate stories in hopes of garnering lighter sentences or police favor. Operation Bravo Vista. Detectives were increasingly convinced that that was the case here. That criminals saw an opportunity on a high profile case and were spinning a web of lies to help themselves. And if Jackoway was dropping clues to his fellow inmates, there was something else investigators had to consider. Was he telling the truth?

[D]

You're dealing with criminals. They do nasty things. That's why they're in jail. And you're boasting to them about the nasty things you've done. Look, all the people I've killed. And the more evil you are, the more powerful and stronger you are.

[B]

Could Douglas Jackaway have been pulling a Leonard Joan Fraser and lying about killing Daniel Morcom? Detectives followed every lead given to them about Jackoway, but none of them led to anything meaningful. They were treading water in a sea of doubt. But what about that letter? The one written by Jaquet's girlfriend, Danielle Richardson, and sent to him in prison. She ended up telling cops she didn't write it and had no idea where it came from. When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 60th and never miss.

[D]

A meme or milestone.

[B]

All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn [e-mail] this episode is brought to you by Jack Daniels. Jack Daniels and music are made for each other. They share a rhythm in the craft of making something timeless while being a part of legendary nights. From backyard jams to sold out arenas, there's a song in every toast. Please drink responsibly. Responsibility.org, jack Daniels and Old no. 7 are registered trademarks. Tennessee Whiskey, 40% alcohol by volume. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee Growing up, I always loved watching the Crocodile Hunter.

[D]

Settle down, sweetheart.

[B]

Settle down now. Steve Irwin was just one of those superstars. That contagious enthusiasm.

[C]

If we can touch people about wildlife.

[E]

Then they want to save it.

[B]

His wild antics. I jumped on a crocodile. Whack.

[D]

Hit me in the head.

[B]

I got scars all over my face. No two fingers are the same. Those catchphrases.

[D]

Crikey, crikey, crikey.

[B]

Steve had found fame in the US but in doing so, he'd put Queensland and its wildlife on the map. Australia Zoo, where he was based, was just south of Palm Woods. In 2006, the Morecambes reached out and asked Australia's biggest TV star to be part of a DVD called Foundation Red. It was all about child safety. The plan was to have it shown in primary schools across the country. The Crocodile Hunter was more than happy to participate, but he never got the chance. Good evening. Queensland adventurer Steve Irwin, who won fans around the world for his love of dangerous animals, has been killed in a freak accident. The croc hunter was on the Great Barrier Reef when a stingray barb pierced his heart. Friends say Steve Irwin died doing what he loved best.

[E]

And the day that we sent him the script to read was the day that he got killed by the stingray.

[B]

On September 20, 2006, a massive memorial was held at Australia Zoo. Thousands packed the zoo's crocoseum to hear tributes from Hollywood actors, politicians and colleagues.

[E]

There was people everywhere, and we were walking back to our car and Anna was there.

[B]

Anna Grossgroots, deputy mayor of a nearby town, Caloundra The Morcams had met her years earlier when she helped organize a charity event in Daniel's honor.

[E]

And she said, denise, I've got some information for you. And Bruce was ahead of me with Brad, and they were sort of trying to hurry me up because Brad needed to go back to work or school or something.

[B]

This wasn't just a friendly chat. Anna had something important to tell Denise.

[E]

She was telling me about one of the ladies in the jail that said that she had information on Daniel and she knew where he was.

[B]

Denise had heard this stuff a million times. They were always getting information from inmates or friends of inmates. But something Anna said got Denise's attention. According to Anna, the prisoner had mentioned the name of someone involved in Daniel's abduction, a name Denise and Bruce recognized, one they could never forget. Bill Dooley. Dooley was the convicted pedophile who'd insisted on speaking to Daniel's father directly. Back in 2004, he'd told the story of seeing Daniel with two men days after his disappearance, drugged in the back of their car. Now, nearly two and a half years later, the Morcoms were hearing Dooley's name again. They couldn't help but feel like that meant something at this point. Bruce often went rogue. He followed leads on his own before notifying detectives. Those tense interactions with police had continued, and a recent one had left a bitter taste.

[C]

A couple came into Foundation's office and said, I've got some information for you. We want to help find Daniel. So I said, oh, yeah? What have you got? And they were talking about an address. I remember ringing a police officer. She no doubt deemed it not super important. And she says, look, it's my day off today. Is there any chance you can get him to drive around to the police station? I thought, you lazy bitch. You know, perhaps, just perhaps, this information is critical in finding the answer, in finding Daniel and who's responsible. But anyway, it was her day off.

[B]

So Bruce and Denise didn't feel so inclined to rush leads to detectives anymore. They were going to see this one through themselves. Over the next few months, the Morcoms got together several times with Anna and and her partner, Russell Eggie, as he was more commonly known. During these visits, Anna would tell Bruce and Denise what she knew, information that she'd been getting from a woman named Samiha Ibrahim, who was something of a spiritual advisor. She had a client who had landed herself in prison, a woman by the name of Elise Smyth. And Smyth had a guilty conscience. She was slowly coming clean to Sameha about the Part she claimed to have played in the abduction and murder of Daniel Morcom. But Smythe wasn't just some random source either. She was Bill Dooley's girlfriend and the former girlfriend of another criminal named Alexander Meyer. According to Smyth, Dooley and Meyer had taken Daniel from the underpass that day, and she was in the car when it happened. They'd drugged Daniel and held him at Meyer's house.

[E]

There'd been stories that Daniel had been in a dungeon in this particular house.

[B]

The walls were solid concrete, the door was dead bolted. Smythe said that it was here in this dungeon that Daniel was tied up and assaulted by several. The next part of her confession is hard to stomach. She said that Daniel overdosed on the drugs they'd given him. The men revived him, then they each had their turn with him. They would nickname him Birthday Cake because everyone had a piece of. Once they were done, they killed Daniel, wrapped him in a sheet and dumped his body. I spent eight days talking at great length with Bruce Morecambe, and there were only three times that I really felt him struggle to face a memory. This was one of those times.

[C]

What I find particularly difficult within that story is they killed Daniel twice, they revived him in a bath, and then obviously they've killed him later on. So it's not a story I like telling for Daniel to pass away through drugs. They revive him in a bath, and then whatever happened, he's deceased again. Like, it's, hmm, not great.

[B]

Elise Smyth drew a map which she claimed would lead to Daniel's remains. During one of her visits to the prison, Samiha collected that map and smuggled it out in her stockings. Bruce had learned by now to doubt every lead, but this felt like the best one they'd had in years. What are your holiday traditions?

[D]

Putting up a minimum of six trees.

[B]

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[D]

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[B]

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[D]

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[B]

Tap the banner to shop now at New Balance, we believe if you run, you're a runner, however you choose to do it. Because when you're not worried about doing things the right way, you're free to discover your way. And that's what running is all about. Run your way. @newbalance.com Running Elise Smythe's map pointed to a spot off Royes Road near the Glasshouse Mountains. Not all that far from the overpass where Daniel was last seen.

[E]

We met Anna and Eggie down between Caboolture and Bribie island and we started searching.

[B]

The map looked as if it had been drawn by a child. There was a dirt track crossing, a creek, pine trees and an X.

[E]

So we went through the bush and we're looking for this area with a stick that looked like a cross. We found this particular area and I think maybe Iggy or Anna moved something with stick they had in their hand. And we saw some red material sticking out of the ground.

[B]

Red, the color every Ozzie had come to associate with Daniel Morcom. The color of the shirt that he was last seen wearing. Denise couldn't believe it.

[E]

We weren't quite sure what to do. The four of us just sat there sort of numb. So I said, we need to phone Julie and she'll be able to find someone to come out and assist us.

[B]

Julie Elliott was working a Sunday shift at the media unit when her phone rang. She jumped into action and arranged for the dog squad to head to the site. The police arrived, cleared the scene and took over. But instead of being supportive and helpful, even eager to pursue this clue, they were furious.

[E]

They absolutely cracked the shits with us. They said, stand over there, don't move, don't do anything. I think one of them had a bottle of water. They said, oh, you better have this, you haven't even had a drink today, and things like that. So they. So we're a bit worried about our mental health, I think.

[B]

Investigators spent hours carefully digging in the area, but all they found was that red cloth. It was bagged for forensic testing. Days went by. The Morcoms heard nothing. They wanted to know what happened to the red cloth. Had anything come from the tests?

[E]

Probably a week or so later, Bruce and I went to the Maroochydore police station and were talking to Paul Schmidt and we asked him about the red material that was found. And we remember he opened up his drawer. He said, I've got it here.

[B]

Detective Sergeant Paul Schmidt opened the drawer, revealing the original evidence bag from the scene. The red cloth was still inside.

[E]

We said, has it been tested? He said, no.

[B]

Police had not done anything with the cloth. It had never gone to forensics, never been swabbed for blood or DNA or anything else that could have ascertained whether it was a link to Daniel. It was just bagged and stuffed into a drawer.

[E]

Oh, we're doing all we can and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. But this red material was never tested.

[B]

Police would Maintain that it was obvious the material wasn't from a shirt. But for Bruce and Denise, this was a gut punch. All this time, they'd been told everything that could be done was being done, that no stone was being left unturned.

[E]

Bruce and I just looked at each other when we got in the car and we were not happy.

[B]

That moment changed something. They may have had their concerns about the investigation over the years, but now they were beginning to wonder. Had the people who they had entrusted to find their son failed them completely? Well, if the investigators need next action was any indication, the answer was yes. Police reached out to let Bruce and Denise know that with no new leads and every line of inquiry exhausted, the investigation was winding down. Their son's case was going cold. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. The five stages of grief. But grief doesn't follow a neat arc. It doesn't abide by any rules. And the grief that results from losing a child, I can only imagine, is its own formidable force. Something that entirely changes the way you are in the world, the way you think, and the relationships you have with others. One afternoon, I was sitting with Denise. The microphones had been running for a while. The conversation was softening, and the silences between my questions and her answers were getting longer. And in that quiet, enveloping space, Denise opened up in a way she hadn't before.

[E]

It was the night before Father's Day, and I had had a few drinks, and I just think I must have been looking at photos or videos and different things of Daniel. And sometimes when you have a couple, you have a few too many, you might change, and you sort of say things that you shouldn't say. I remember saying that I wanted to have a divorce, but he said, no, I'm not divorcing you, because whoever took Daniel is not going to destroy this family.

[B]

Did you let it go after Bruce said no?

[E]

Did I let it go? I must have, because we're still together.

[B]

The loss of a child can tear couples apart. But Bruce and Denise, they decided to hold on.

[E]

I think we've made a. A decision between ourselves that we just have to try and work harder to be together, especially for Dean and Brad and also the Foundation. I think we make a conscious decision to do whatever we can to stick together and not destroy the family as well.

[B]

They endured for their boys, for the Foundation. But even that wasn't always enough. The night that you took sleeping pills.

[E]

Yep.

[B]

Do you remember that night?

[E]

Yeah, I remember I said I'd had enough.

[B]

Were you trying to kill yourself?

[E]

Well, I'd had enough. I didn't want to be around. And the doctor said, didn't matter anyway because those tablets, you could take the whole bottle and nothing would have happened to you. So they were the wrong ones.

[B]

Do you think there was a small.

[E]

Part of you that didn't want to, but did want to? Yes.

[B]

You just wanted to not feel.

[E]

They just wanted to sleep for a few days. I think.

[B]

I was beginning to see it in a way I hadn't quite grasped before. The unbearable pain that lived between press conferences, between foundation events and the long silences between the ever fewer updates from police. Julie Elliott could see that pain in her friend every day. So she invited Denise on a trekking holiday to New Zealand. Denise took the plunge. She told her family she was going to do it.

[E]

They just laughed at me. They said, jesus, you don't even walk up the driveway. So I said, right next morning I got got up, I think I probably did maybe three kilometers, and then after that I was doing three and then six and then ten, and then I was walking with the backpack.

[B]

Denise walked and she kept walking. Walking became her outlet, whether to the mailbox or the 33.5 miles of rugged terrain across New Zealand's Milford Track. Denise was doing the only thing someone can do when everything in life feels broken. She was putting one foot in front of the other. But the Morcom's also weren't the kind of people to just accept their fate either. To let the cops dictate whether or not it was time to give up. They had a plan. It would take time, it would take determination and it would definitely piss off the place. But if it worked, it might just change everything. Did you know prior to Daniel's abduction that what a coronial inquest was?

[C]

I can remember downloading the coroner's act and reading it from front to back sort of thing. You quickly realize it's a very powerful unit that I think is underutilised.

[B]

The Morcoms were going to put the system to the test.

[D]

Seven years after Queensland teenager Daniel Morcom.

[E]

Disappeared without trace, a coronial inquest is.

[D]

Hearing from some of the state's most notorious prisoners. Key people would be required to take the stand.

[E]

Bruce and Denise hope someone will break.

[D]

Their silence and unlock the mystery.

[B]

With the start of this inquest, they believe they're a step closer to finding out what happened. Don't want to wait for that next episode. You don't have to unlock all episodes of where is Daniel Morecambe? Ad free right now by subscribing to the Binge Podcast Channel. Search for the binge on Apple Podcasts and hit subscribe at the top of the page. Not on apple. Head to getthebinge.com to get access wherever you listen. As a subscriber, you'll get binge access to new stories on the 1st of every month. Check out the Binge Channel page on apple podcasts or getthebinge.com to learn more. If you'd like to make a donation to the Daniel Morcom foundation, please visit danielmorkam.com au where is Daniel Morecambe? Is a production of Sony Music Entertainment and Campside Media. It was hosted, reported and co written by me, Matt Angel. Joe Barrett is the Managing producer and co writer Grace Valerie Lynette is the Associate producer. Additional production support from Tiffany Dimmack. The series was sound, designed, composed and mixed by Garrett Tiedemann. Our studio engineer is Trino Madriz. Fact Checked by Tracy Loughgren Lee A special thing thanks to Ashley Ann Krigbaum and Doug Slaywin and our operations team Ashley Warren, Sabina Mara and Destiny Dinkel. The voice of Danielle Richardson is by Kyra Carter. Campside Media's executive producers are Josh Dean, Vanessa Gregoriadis and Matt Sher. Sony's executive producer is Jonathan Hirsch. For Pacesetter Productions. The executive producer Producer is Jessica Rhodes. Allison Momassi and Brian Daly are the associate producers. For Mad Jimmy Productions. The executive producers are Me, Matt angel and Suzanne Coot. Consulting producers are Dan Angel, Lee Parker and Andrew Fairbank. If you enjoyed where is Daniel Morecambe? Please rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts. SA and Doug Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping.

[C]

People customize their car insurance and save.

[B]

Hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[D]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars.

[B]

Watching him us cut the camera.

[D]

They see us.

[B]

Only pay for what you [e-mail] savings very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates excludes Massachusetts.