There is final closure in the case of missing Sunshine Coast boy Daniel Morcombe today, with the conclusion of a coronial inquest into his disappearance. But not before some startling claims about how the case against killer Brett Peter Cowan may have been held up.
WATCH DANIEL'S PARENTS SPEAK OUT TODAY, IN VIDEO BELOW
Daniel’s father Bruce Morcombe, speaking to assembled journalists outside court, described the coroner's findings as ‘very powerful’, with the report recognising ‘a couple of areas where the Morcombe family had considered that Queensland Police, in hindsight, could’ve done better’.
Coroner Terry Ryan found that police could have done more in the early stages of investigation, following the boy's 2003 abduction. Brett Peter Cowan, was convicted in 2014.
Two police had interviewed known sex offender Cowan soon after the crime, and they claim they identified him as ‘a prime suspect.’ Shockingly, they say their opinions were dismissed by senior staff, with one officer sensationally claiming he was told to ‘f***off’ by superiors.
Recommendations made at the conclusion of the inquest include a review into cases of missing persons after 12 months, and that the government change laws so grieving families can get faster access to victims’ recovered remains.
‘Today, collectively as a family we move on but individually we never forget,’ the Morcombe family said in a statement.
