Autistic teen goes missing found dead

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A 14-year-old with high-functioning autism who disappeared during his daily walk east of Melbourne has been found dead.
William, who is verbal and independent, left home without his mobile phone and police but police were originally confident by the fact he knows the area well and thought he would be found.

Police confirmed William Wall's body had been found this afternoon following an extensive search and appeal from his father today.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/searc ... a6c157b47e

There are some serious allegations that the boy would be alive if police did not restrict searchers including the boys family from searching for the boy after the 8pm curfew applied due to COVID19 last night. Victoria is the only state to have harsh lockdown measures.

There is also confusion why if he was verbal why he was not able to call anyone with his phone or why his mobile could not be tracked? Some unanswered questions thaty don't make sense.

I think at least this mystery is easily solved.

Anyway, tragic

Thanks, sorry I missed that point.

It's amazing how hasty implementation of laws can have unintended consequences...

As I understand it, it wasn't just the curfew, but the fact that locals were turned away as well:

Source: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/search-underway-for-missing-autistic-child-in-yarra-ranges/news-story/fc944b7d960d55930495b3327d9d1e9f

Yes it doesn't make sense to turn away volunteers? there is a possibility the people turned away could have found young William. Who ever heard of "enough resources" when you are searching for a missing child??

I'm 100% certain the dickhead who made that decision wouldn't have done that if it was his son.

So sad for the Family, Curfew or no curfew locals in the area should have been allowed to search for him.

The family are really distraught at how this could happen as William really knows the area he goes walking really well and has gone many times by himself.

I also don't understand why he didn't take his phone? My autistic daughter is one year older than William and she has been cycling in bushland near our house since she was 14 (same age as William) and she always takes her phone with her.

Just an update that William's body was found 1km from his home.

I'm afraid that doesn't make sense for two reasons? how could he have been so close to his house and not known his way back?? he knew the area well enough to go by himself. I am now thinking this could be foul play or suicide?

Police said "His death is not being treated as suspicious". Interesting wording

Standard wording...Used if cause of death is known, or there is nothing to indicate it was "assisted" in some way.

Not sure of the area involved, but it could be he fell off a hillside, branch fell on him, fell in creek and drowned, exposure due to low overnight temperatures, etc.

I am thinking he might have twisted his ankle and couldn't move. He didn't have his phone.

Yeah it looks like my concerns seem to be shared by the boy's family.

Looking more like suicide now, completely blindsided the family
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real- ... 614b581b4c

I imagine there will be an inquest, as a formality if nothing else. Sad story whatever happened

The father seems to think his son committed suicide but the paper isn't really confirming??

Seems to be a gap in the news that I have missed somewhere