Witness: William Tyrrell - Episode 2: Searching for Karlie

Host: Dan Box
Producer: Nina Young
Episode Release Date: October 13, 2024
Podcast Series: Witness (news.com.au)

Introduction: The Quest to Reach Carly

The episode opens with Dan Box and producer Nina Young embarking on a crucial mission to locate William Tyrrell's birth mother, Carly. They highlight the difficulty in contacting her, having exhausted various methods such as social media and multiple phone numbers without success.

Dan Box [00:04]: "We're going to try and find William's birth mother, Carly. And the reason I want to talk to Carly is really just to let her know what we're doing and why we're doing it... if it was my child, I would want someone to contact me before doing this."

Their final attempt involves door-to-door visits to three addresses where Carly might reside, emphasizing their respectful and honest approach to contacting her.

Encountering Barriers: Unsuccessful Attempts to Locate Carly and Brendan

Dan and Nina describe their experience visiting the three addresses:

1. First Address: The house had been recently sold and renovated, with no trace of the Tyrrell family.
2. Second Address: An apartment block where they found no one familiar with the family.
3. Third Address: Another apartment complex but again, no leads were found.

Dan Box [01:26]: "We've got three addresses and we're going to knock each of those houses and ask if she's there and ask if she wants to talk to us."

Despite their efforts, they remain unable to locate Carly or Brendan, William's biological father.

A Glimmer of Hope: Contacting Natalie Collins

Their journey leads them to Natalie Collins, William's biological grandmother, who has traditionally been the spokesperson for the family. Initially willing to speak, Natalie becomes highly emotional and confrontational during the interview, highlighting the profound impact of William's disappearance on her family.

Natalie Collins [06:20]: "The thing is that they shouldn't have taken the kids off them in the first place. And that's where it's all going to start."

Natalie expresses deep anger and sorrow over the decision to remove William from his biological parents, suggesting that this was the pivotal moment leading to his disappearance.

Natalie Collins [09:23]: "Like, Brendan, he lost his son. I lost my son. And I lost myself as well."

Emotional Turmoil: Natalie’s Outburst

During her conversation with Nina, Natalie becomes increasingly agitated, expressing frustration with the media and reporters.

Natalie Collins [10:39]: "All you reporters are the same. I don't. I haven't talked to a reporters for a long time."

Her emotional state underscores the family's prolonged suffering and the lack of closure regarding William's disappearance.

Producer’s Dilemma: Balancing Empathy and Storytelling

Nina Young grapples with the ethical dilemma of using Natalie's emotional outburst in the podcast. Dan Box argues that including the raw emotion is essential to convey the depth of the family's grief.

Nina Young [11:07]: "I don't feel good about that at all. You know, I felt awful that happened."

Dan Box [12:05]: "It demonstrates the sheer emotion and the sheer trauma that those close to William have gone through."

Second Attempt: Emily Pigeon Reconnects with Natalie

Producer Emily Pigeon manages to secure another interview with Natalie, who continues to condemn both Carly and Brendan, although some of her claims lack corroborative evidence from official records.

Natalie Collins [30:08]: "I don't even know. Like, that was probably the worst thing he ever did in his life is meet her."

Natalie critiques Carly's parenting, claiming William was mistreated in foster care, though official documents and other testimonies provide conflicting accounts.

Inconsistencies in Foster Care Records

Dan Box contrasts Natalie's account with the official foster care records, which depict a stable environment for William. Despite Natalie's claims of abuse, the records indicate that William exhibited typical childhood behaviors and adjusted well in foster care.

Dan Box [22:22]: "Every visit by William's caseworker is documented saying how William seemed, what he was wearing, his general health..."

However, discrepancies arise when Natalie's allegations about William's well-being do not align with these records, adding complexity to the investigation.

Historical Context: The Original Removal of William

The episode delves into the circumstances leading to William's initial removal from his biological parents. In February 2012, amid allegations of domestic violence and neglect, authorities intervened, and William was placed into foster care.

Dan Box [37:40]: "Since recording this episode, I've spoken again to Natalie... 'We took William off Carly to protect him.'"

An anonymous official reflects on the decision, revealing internal conflicts and doubts about whether the intervention was truly in William's best interest.

Anonymous Official [45:21]: "We took William off Carly to protect him... But you're only human if you're asking the question."

Current Status: Continued Search and Emerging Theories

Dan and Nina reveal that their search for Carly remains unsuccessful, but they provide a nuanced understanding of her possible sentiments towards William's disappearance. The episode hints at unresolved issues with the foster family, particularly Carly's alleged innocence versus suspicions from the police.

Dan Box [46:28]: "You're only human if you're asking the question."

The narrative suggests that while Carly insists on her innocence, the police still harbor suspicions, keeping the investigation alive after a decade.

Conclusion: Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Investigations

The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of William's disappearance, particularly the controversial decision to remove him from his biological parents. It highlights the lingering questions and the persistent hope for answers from both the Tyrrell family and the investigative team.

Dan Box [50:57]: "We've all got stories and thoughts, but I thought, how fucking ironic is that?"

As the episode wraps up, listeners are encouraged to come forward with any information, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Key Takeaways:

• Family Dynamics: The removal of William from his biological parents is central to understanding his subsequent disappearance.

• Emotional Impact: The episode underscores the profound grief and frustration experienced by the biological family, particularly Natalie Collins.

• Investigative Challenges: Locating Carly and Brendan proves difficult, with their current whereabouts remaining unknown.

• Conflicting Narratives: Natalie's accusations against the foster parents contrast with official records, complicating the narrative.

• Ethical Reporting: The producers navigate the delicate balance between storytelling and respecting the family's emotional state.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Box [00:04]: "If it was my child, I would want someone to contact me before doing this."

• Natalie Collins [06:20]: "They shouldn't have taken the kids off them in the first place."

• Natalie Collins [09:23]: "Like, Brendan, he lost his son. I lost my son. And I lost myself as well."

• Dan Box [12:05]: "It demonstrates the sheer emotion and the sheer trauma that those close to William have gone through."

• Anonymous Official [45:46]: "We thought we were all doing the right thing... but this is what happened."

Production Team:

• Executive Producer: Nina Young
• Sound Design: Tiffany Dimac
• Producers: Emily Pigeon, Nicholas Adams Jasbar, Phoebe Zukowski Wallace
• Voice Acting: Marcus Obern
• Research: Aidan Patrick
• Music: Rory O'Connor
• Legal: Stephen Coombs
• Editor: Kerry Warren

Call to Action:

Listeners are urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 1800 333 000 or witness@news.com.au if they have any information regarding William Tyrrell's disappearance. Confidential tips are crucial to advancing the investigation after ten years of uncertainty.

Witness serves as a poignant investigative series, shedding light on one of Australia's most enduring missing person cases. Episode 2, "Searching for Karlie," deepens the exploration into the family dynamics and governmental decisions that have left lasting scars on the Tyrrell family.