#daniel morcombe

On 7th December 2003, 13 year old Daniel Morcombe was abducted in Queensland, Australia whilst waiting for a bus to take him into the nearby town. Once there, he had planned to get a haircut and buy Christmas presents for his family- but he did not return home. Daniel’s remains were not discovered until 21st August 2011, almost 8 years after he was murdered, when his shoes and 17 bones were found in a rural, hilly area along with his underwear and a belt. DNA extracted from his toothbrush was used to confirm the match. Just one week earlier, on 13th August 2011, Brett Cowan had been arrested for his involvement in the young boy’s murder. 34 years old at the time, Cowan had deceptively lured Daniel into his car under the false pretence of a safe ride into town after the bus he was waiting for had failed to turn up on schedule.

Once in custody, it was uncovered that Cowan had previously received a series of convictions for crimes relating to minors. In December 1987, he had been charged with molesting a seven year old after he had lured the child into a public bathroom whilst undertaking community service. For this, he served a three year prison sentence. Further down the line, on 28th September 1993, Cowan raped a six year old child a short distance from a caravan park, leaving the small child severely injured and abandoned in a vehicle until they were later found. A seven year prison sentence was handed down for this crime, but Cowan was released after serving just four and a half years. During the early stages of the police inquiry into Daniel’s death, Brett Cowan had been named a suspect due to his extensive criminal past regarding children but was subsequently ruled out until his arrest years later.

DANIEL MORCOMBE

19 December 1989 – 7 December 2003

Daniel Morcombe lived in Queensland, Australia with his family. Aged 13 he was kidnapped, assaulted and murdered by a convicted child offender, Brett Peter Cowan.

The Australian justice system had let Brett onto the streets knowing he was a danger to the public. Brett had a history of assaulting children. Five years previously he had kidnapped a boy from a caravan park that they were both staying in. He took him to a deserted junk car, assaulted him and then left the child there believing he had killed him. The child woke up and walked to a nearby service station for help. Brett spent two years in prison for this crime. The judge released him because Brett showed ‘remorse’ and ‘found God’ after becoming a Christian. The authorities didn’t keep an eye on Brett after he was released. Brett then met a young woman named Tracey who he had raped, as a Christian, she forgave him, married him and they had a son.

In 2003, Daniel was waiting at a bus stop, to go to the shops to get a haircut and buy Christmas gifts for his family. The bus had broken down and the replacement bus didn’t stop to pick him up. Unfortunately, Brett had noticed Daniel, approached him and offered him a lift to the shopping centre.

Brett was a suspect due to his history and being close to that location when Daniel disappeared. Brett admitted to the police that he travelled the road where Daniel was so he could buy marijuana from a drug dealer. The police released him from lack of evidence. Brett changed his name to Shaddo Hunter, and his wife lied to police to give her husband an alibi. An undercover police officer ‘Joe’ became friends with Brett in 2011, Brett came to trust him and admitted his involvement in Daniel’s disappearance. He led his new friends to the site of where he left Daniel’s lifeless body. DNA testing took place and Brett was arrested. Brett showed no remorse and was charged with murder.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe along with The Hon. Di Farmer (Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence) turned the first sod at a Groundbreaking Ceremony in Palmwoods this afternoon, Wednesday 9th May.

The building when complete will be named Daniel House. It will be the…

I’m not saying “Good”. I’m not.