The disappearance of William Tyrrell, the three-year-old boy who vanished from his foster grandmother’s home in Kendall, New South Wales, on September 12, 2014, remains one of Australia’s most haunting unsolved mysteries. For over a decade, the case has gripped the nation, with extensive searches, inquests, and countless theories failing to provide definitive answers.

abc.net.au

abc.net.au

Now, in a stunning development circulating widely online, reports claim a young man in Western Australia has undergone DNA testing that allegedly shows a 69.23% genetic match to William’s biological father, Brendan “Bones” Collins. This percentage has sparked intense speculation: could this individual be William himself, grown up and alive after all these years? The claim suggests the boy many feared lost forever might have survived, prompting an outpouring of emotion across the country.

A 69.23% match is consistent with a close familial relationship—such as parent-child (typically around 50% shared DNA, but variations occur in testing methods or partial profiles) or potentially a sibling or other relative. However, no official confirmation from New South Wales Police or authorities has been issued regarding this specific DNA claim. The story appears to originate from social media posts and viral shares, raising questions about its veracity amid the long history of hoaxes and unverified tips in the case.

theaustralian.com.au

Probe into William photo | The Australian

William, born on June 26, 2011, was in foster care after being removed from his biological parents, Karlie Tyrrell and Brendan Collins, due to concerns including domestic violence and drug issues. On the day he disappeared, he was playing in the yard wearing his distinctive Spider-Man suit during a family visit to Kendall. His foster mother briefly stepped inside, and when she returned, William was gone. Initial searches focused on the surrounding bushland, but no trace was found.

7news.com.au

7NEWS Investigates: The Disappearance of William Tyrrell | 7NEWS

Over the years, the investigation—led by Strike Force Rosann—has included massive ground searches, forensic reviews, and an ongoing coronial inquest. Police have pursued leads involving persons of interest, including convicted offenders, but no charges related to the disappearance have resulted. In recent years, the inquest has examined evidence suggesting possible accidental death and cover-up, though the foster family has strongly denied involvement. As of late 2025, the coroner had not yet delivered findings, leaving families in limbo.

dailytelegraph.com.au

William Tyrrell: Police continuing search in Kendall bushland | Daily Telegraph

The biological father, Brendan Collins, has occasionally spoken publicly, expressing heartbreak and even joining informal searches. He was publicly named years ago following court rulings, but has been ruled out as a suspect in the disappearance.

This latest alleged DNA twist has reignited hope for some that William could still be alive, perhaps raised elsewhere without knowledge of his origins. A child abducted young might not remember their early life, and a genetic link to Collins could imply a hidden family connection or extraordinary circumstances. Yet experts caution that consumer DNA tests (like those from ancestry sites) can produce approximate matches, and only forensic-grade testing through police channels would hold evidentiary weight.

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New Age Progression Photo Of Missing Boy William Tyrrell | 10 News First

Public reaction has been one of shock and cautious optimism. Social media is flooded with calls for authorities to investigate the young man in Western Australia immediately. Families of missing children have shared their pain, while others urge restraint until facts emerge.

As the case approaches its 12th year, this development—true or not—reminds Australia that the search for William Tyrrell endures. Police continue to appeal for information, with a $1 million reward still in place. Whether this DNA story proves a breakthrough or another false lead, the nation’s hope persists: that one day, answers will come, and perhaps, “he’s still alive.”