Witness: William Tyrrell – Episode 12: The Bird Tree

Podcast Information:

• Title: Witness: William Tyrrell
• Host/Author: news.com.au
• Description:
  Witness is the home of investigative podcasts for news.com.au. This season delves into the mysterious disappearance of William Tyrrell, a three-year-old who vanished from his family home in Kendall, New South Wales, ten years ago. Despite ongoing investigations, key questions remain unanswered, particularly concerning William's foster mother and a potential suspect, Frank Abbott.

Introduction

In Episode 12, titled "The Bird Tree," the investigative team from news.com.au revisits the haunting case of William Tyrrell, a three-year-old boy who disappeared from his family home in Kendall on September 12, 2014. A decade later, the mystery remains unsolved, with lingering suspicions surrounding William's foster mother and a man named Frank Abbott, who is considered a potential suspect.

Revisiting Frank Abbott’s Connection

The episode kicks off with Dan and Nina returning to the Mid North Coast of New South Wales to shed light on Frank Abbott’s possible involvement in William Tyrrell’s disappearance.

Dan [00:09]: "We still got questions. And the questions are about one of the people who was held up at the inquest into William's disappearance as a suspect, potential suspect, and his name's Frank Abbott."

Frank Abbott, a long-time resident of the Mid North Coast since the late '80s or '90s, has been under scrutiny due to his peculiar fixation on William's disappearance. Despite no direct evidence linking him to the crime, Frank persistently inserts himself into the investigation narrative.

Nina [00:44]: "Frank Abbott is a man that has been around the Mid north coast since the late 80s or 90s. He's lived in both Johns River and Herons Creek, both of which are near Kendal, where William went missing."

Frank’s behavior raises red flags, particularly his claims about knowing more than he reveals:

Dan [01:41]: "And there was evidence that he actually bragged in front of children that he killed William and disposed of William, I think under their house."

Despite these alarming statements, no concrete evidence has surfaced to substantiate Frank's claims. His interactions with law enforcement add layers to the mystery:

Nina [02:07]: "Frank keeps talking about it and inserting him into the investigation. So he even contacted the police while he was in prison for child sex abuse in 2018."

Notably, Frank has connections to other persons of interest in the case, such as Tony Jones and Jeff Owens, a tradesman linked to the house where William disappeared. Nonetheless, these connections remain circumstantial.

Community Insights and Local Interviews

The investigative team delves into the town of John's River, a small community where Frank Abbott once resided. Through interviews with locals like Patrick Teeling, who owns the local store, and Jeff Owen, the tradesman connected to the house, a portrait of Frank emerges—complex and shadowed by rumors.

Patrick [06:03]: "When you put all of this together, what you've got is that so far, neither the police nor nor the coroner seem to have any real answers about what happened to William."

Visitors to Frank's old residence describe it as a place laden with old, discarded items, hinting at possible hidden secrets.

Frank [23:10]: "I think we've done about 13 loads of rubbish from the backyard. Washing machines over in this corner... steel bathtubs... old and dusty inside."

Jeff Owen, a key figure interviewed in John's River, recounts unsettling interactions with Frank:

Jeff [19:46]: "He used to look over the fence and stuff when my ex was out in the garden. I caught him... he came out with a machete."

These testimonies, while not directly implicating Frank in William Tyrrell's disappearance, paint a picture of a man with a troubled past and questionable behavior.

The Bird Tree Theory

A pivotal moment in the episode centers around the Bird Tree, a massive blackbutt tree near Big Bird Mountain, adjacent to Bennaroon Drive—the same area where William was last seen. The significance of the Bird Tree becomes intertwined with Frank Abbott’s history and his brother Bluey's revelations.

Patrick [31:40]: "Bluey's dead, so he can't tell us if he really said that. Later we ask Frank about this in writing, in a letter we send to him in prison. But we haven't heard back because he..."

Frank's mobile phone reportedly pinged from the Middle Brother cell tower on the morning William disappeared, situating him within the vast Kendal area. While this does not conclusively link him to the crime, it keeps him within the sphere of interest.

Patrick [33:14]: "The morning after William is reported missing, at 9:22am, Frank Abbott's mobile phone pings off the Middle Brother cell tower... Frank is likely somewhere in that area."

The episode introduces enigmatic claims from Bluey, Frank’s brother, who allegedly suggested Frank's involvement in William's disappearance shortly before his own death. These claims lack verification and exist purely as hearsay within the community.

Bluey [35:07]: "He did too. He's buried up on Big Bird Mountain."

The association between the Bird Tree and William’s disappearance remains speculative, fueling local legends and conspiracy theories without providing tangible evidence.

Family Dynamics and Hidden Truths

Further exploration into Frank Abbott's family unveils a tumultuous history marked by abuse and unresolved tensions. Nina and Patrick uncover that Frank’s father, Henry Abbott, was a known child abuser, adding a disturbing layer to Frank’s background.

Patrick [08:23]: "We've read the death certificates of Frank's wife, Katrina, who died in 1991 of liver failure. Anne of Frank's two-year-old son Darren, who died in 1984 and whose inquest file has been sealed..."

Moreover, William's foster parents, who were previously convicted of assaulting and intimidating another child, have had their convictions overturned upon appeal. This development adds complexity to the investigation, questioning the reliability of previous testimonies.

Dan [16:23]: "The police did charge William's foster mother and foster father with assaulting and intimidating another child who wasn't William. But in the months since the last episode of this series, William's foster father has appealed his conviction for intimidation and had it overturned."

Confrontation and Local Resistance

As Nina and Patrick persist in their investigation, they encounter resistance from locals wary of delving into Frank Abbott’s past and the town’s best-kept secrets. Attempts to interview Frank's neighbors yield mixed responses, with some expressing fear and distrust.

Patrick [17:23]: "What had he done? Just to record this man used to... he didn't want to be named."

In one significant interaction, a local warns them to stay away from Frank Abbott, illustrating the lingering fear and apprehension surrounding his legacy.

Patrick [16:26]: "We knocked on his house half an hour ago and I left a message on his phone."

The community’s reluctance to fully engage with the investigation underscores the deep-seated trauma and uncertainty that William's disappearance has left behind.

Closing Thoughts and Ongoing Mysteries

As the episode draws to a close, Nina and Patrick remain entangled in a web of half-truths, hearsay, and unverified claims. The Bird Tree saga, tied to familial confessions and local folklore, leaves the mystery of William Tyrrell's disappearance shrouded in ambiguity.

Patrick [43:07]: "Fate did do it. That's the words I heard from my son, what Bluey told him they did do it and he's buried up there on his bird somewhere."

The episode concludes without definitive answers, highlighting the enduring pain and unresolved questions that continue to haunt those connected to William Tyrrell's case.

Conclusion

Episode 12, "The Bird Tree," adeptly navigates the murky waters of suspicion, community whispers, and fragmented truths surrounding William Tyrrell's disappearance. While Frank Abbott remains a figure of intense scrutiny, the lack of concrete evidence and the complex dynamics within his family and community leave the case unresolved. The Bird Tree serves as a symbolic reminder of the elusive nature of truth in this tragic narrative, compelling listeners to ponder the depths of mystery that still envelop William Tyrrell's fate.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan [00:09]: "We still got questions. And the questions are about one of the people who was held up at the inquest into William's disappearance as a suspect, potential suspect, and his name's Frank Abbott."

• Nina [02:07]: "Inserting him into the investigation. So he even contacted the police while he was in prison for child sex abuse in 2018."

• Patrick [17:23]: "What had he done? Just to record this man used to..."

• Bluey [35:07]: "He did too. He's buried up on Big Bird Mountain."

Production Credits:

• Executive Producer: Nina Young
• Sound Design: Tiffany Dimac
• Producers: Emily Pidgeon, Nicholas Adams, Jasbar, Phoebe Zukowski Wallace, and Tabby Wilson
• Research: Aidan Patrick
• Original Music: Rory O'Connor
• Lawyer: Stephen Coombs
• Editor: Kerry Warren
• Hosts: Dan Bo and Patrick Teeling

Note: The episode continues to unravel the complexities of the William Tyrrell case, promising further revelations and investigative depth in subsequent episodes.