Case 54
Daniel Morcombe
Case 54
Daniel Morcombe
On December 7th, 2003, thirteen-year-old Daniel Morcombe told his brothers he was going to Sunshine Plaza to get a haircut and look for Christmas presents. Shortly after lunch he left his home on Woombye-Palmwoods Road and walked just over one kilometer to an unofficial bus stop located under the Kiel Mountain overpass. Daniel had caught the bus from here to the shopping plaza many times before. Standing underneath the overpass, he waited for the 1:35 pm scheduled afternoon bus service to Sunshine Plaza.
But the bus Daniel was expecting had broken down 750 meters before the overpass. It was out of his sight. At 2:15 pm a replacement bus approached him. Daniel signaled for it to stop and pick him up, but it continued on through the underpass.
Due to the delay, the replacement bus was now going express to Sunshine Plaza. The driver saw Daniel signal him, but he was under instructions not to stop. There was a smaller shuttle bus only a few minutes behind, which was stopping to pick up stranded passengers along the route.
The shuttle bus reached the underpass at 2:18 pm. Only three minutes after the first bus passed. However, during those three minutes, Daniel vanished without a trace.
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Where is Daniel? The Family’s Story – Bruce and Denise Morcombe with Lindsay Simpson
WEBSITE:
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation
ARTICLES:
Daniel Morcombe murder trial: Brett Peter Cowan’s second confession shown in court – Brisbane Times
Brett Cowan guilty of murder of Daniel Morcombe – Courier Mail
Church denies claims Brett Cowan ‘rape’ attempt ignored – Sunshine Coast Daily
VIDEOS:
Brett Cowan’s covert confession of Daniel Morcombe’s murder
TRIAL DOCUMENTS:
The Queen v Cowan 2013 QSC 337 (12 December 2013)
The Queen v Cowan 2015 QCA 87 (21 May 2015)
TIMELINE:
10 years later, the life and death of Daniel Morcombe
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Blue Apron – 3 meals free + free shipping
Casper – $50 off any mattress
On December 7th, 2003, thirteen-year-old Daniel Morcombe told his brothers he was going to Sunshine Plaza to get a haircut and look for Christmas presents. Shortly after lunch he left his home on Woombye-Palmwoods Road and walked just over one kilometre to an unofficial bus stop located under the Kiel Mountain overpass. Daniel had caught the bus from here to the shopping plaza many times before. Standing underneath the overpass, he waited for the 1:35 pm scheduled afternoon bus service to Sunshine Plaza.
But the bus Daniel was expecting had broken down 750 meters before the overpass. It was out of his sight. At 2:15 pm a replacement bus approached him. Daniel signalled for it to stop and pick him up, but it continued on through the underpass.
Due to the delay, the replacement bus was now going express to Sunshine Plaza. The driver saw Daniel signal him, but he was under instructions not to stop. There was a smaller shuttle bus only a few minutes behind, which was stopping to pick up stranded passengers along the route.
The shuttle bus reached the underpass at 2:18 pm. Only three minutes after the first bus passed. However, during those three minutes, Daniel vanished without a trace.
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched and written by Milly Raso
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Where is Daniel? The Family’s Story –Bruce and Denise Morcombe with Lindsay Simpson
WEBSITES:
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation
ARTICLES:
Daniel Morcombe murder trial: Brett Peter Cowan’s second confession shown in court – Brisbane Times
Brett Cowan guilty of murder of Daniel Morcombe – Courier Mail
Church denies claims Brett Cowan ‘rape’ attempt ignored – Sunshine Coast Daily
VIDEOS:
Brett Cowan’s covert confession of Daniel Morcombe’s murder
TRIAL DOCUMENTS:
The Queen v Cowan 2013 QSC 337 (12 December 2013)
The Queen v Cowan 2015 QCA 87 (21 May 2015)
TIMELINE:
10 years later, the life and death of Daniel Morcombe
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Blue Apron – 3 meals free + free shipping
Casper – $50 off any mattress
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