PETER STEFANOVIC

THE AUSSIE JOURNALIST DELVES DEEP INTO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WILLIAM TYRRELL

It’s a case that has mystified a nation for almost seven years, and now Sky News anchor Peter Stefanovic is examining the disappearance of missing toddler William Tyrrell in the true crime investigation William Tyrrell: Little Boy Lost.

Throughout the 30-minute special, Stefanovic speaks candidly with those at the heart of the case, including Tyrrell’s biological mother and former homicide detective Gary Jubelin, and also pieces together the critical time line immediately before and after Tyrrell was reported missing alongside a team of experts. Here, Stefanovic, 39, opens up about the special true crime report…

What can viewers expect to see and learn in this special?

Well, we really dive into William’s last 24 hours before he went missing. We do that by going over old ground with Gary Jubelin, and his initial thoughts, fears, expectations and hopes for the case when he first came on board. It’s just interesting to get his insight now that he’s not part of the case anymore. It kind of frees him up to say a little bit more than he could when he was a detective. We also speak to William’s biological mother – she hasn’t done many interviews, this is the first one she’s done since the coronial inquest. Not surprisingly, it’s still very difficult territory for her. But it’s just interesting to kind of get inside her mind and work out how she’s feeling, and how she’s dealing with the situation.

What did you find most interesting about this case?

I’ve covered this story in the past as well. I suppose the difference now is that I’m thinking about it from a different angle because I’m a father now. I can’t imagine how you would respond or react to that kind of thing. It’s one of the things that separates this story from so many others – that it could happen to anybody! William vanished in a flash one day. It’s horrifying!

It’s been almost seven years since William disappeared, why do you think there’s still so much public interest in the case?

I think because of that reason that it could happen to anyone. He’s this little kid, this little vulnerable kid who was scooped up allegedly in a very random way by someone who perhaps seized an opportunity. It was a very opportunistic strike, if we can put it that way. And you’ve got the Spider-Man suit, too, that so many people remember. William wearing that Spider-Man suit on the day he was taken,

I mean, it’s a haunting image and it sticks in people’s minds.

It’s a mystery that still prevails to this day.

By Sara Tapia

(Premieres Sun., Jul. 18, 8pm on

Sky News on Foxtel)