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.

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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)

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If you are hearing impaired or know someone who is and would like to get a transcript of the episode, please email us at contact@casefilepodcast.com

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: Ex-wife of accused murderer Brett Peter Cowan testifies in Brisbane Supreme Court – ABC News

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