
Daniel Morcombe's twin brother recalls the tragic day the schoolboy was abducted from a bus stop and murdered by a paedophile
Daniel Morcombe's twin brother has recalled the day the 13-year-old was abducted and murdered while waiting for a bus to go and buy his family Christmas presents.
Brad, 35, has fondly remembered Daniel as his 'best mate' over two decades after the schoolboy disappeared from a bus stop on Sunday December 7, 2003.
'On that hot Sunday afternoon, trouble found Daniel,' he told a new documentary into his brother's disappearance, Don't Waste It: The Daniel Morcombe Story.
'He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We never saw him again.'
The family were finally reunited with Daniel eight years later when his remains were discovered in the Glass House Mountains in the Gold Coast hinterland in 2011.
Daniel's killer, Brett Peter Cowan, was arrested the same year and is serving a life sentence at a Brisbane correctional centre.
'When the truth finally came it was worse than we ever imagined,' Brad said.
'After eight years, Daniel wasn't coming home.'
Daniel's father, Bruce, described the arrest as 'an incredible shock and surprise, a moment not of joy - a moment you think, "Wow Daniel's not coming home".'
Brad cherishes the happy childhood memories he shared with his twin.
'He was only 13-years-old when he was abducted, just a few days before our birthday,' he said.
'He was my best mate. He loved horses and we both loved motorbikes.
'We grew up doing everything together - school, motorbikes, horses. Basically what he did, I did and vice versa.
'To outsiders he would seem like he was quiet but to us he was very boisterous, a little joker, a little mate. Just a nice kid.'
Brad said waiting to get answers into his brother's disappearance before he was found was 'torture'.
'Every phone call, every knock on the door brought a flicker of hope, that quickly faded,' he said.
The documentary was shared on Tuesday, May 6, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
Originally established by Daniel's parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe, as a way to help find their son, the foundation has become one of the largest child safety operations in Australia.
Its symbol, a red t-shirt, has become a well-recognised symbol for child safety and pays tribute to the shirt Daniel wore on the day of his abduction.
Bruce explained the evolution of the foundation's mission was a way for him and his wife to cope with their grief and help other victims.
'We weren't sitting there in our sorrow,' he said.
'I can't change what's happened to Daniel but I can influence and change the future.
'I want everyone to stand tall and accept the challenge… Today is the day I tell my story. You are incredibly important in helping others. Don't waste your pain, you will help somebody else.'
The Daniel Morcombe Foundation provides child safety education, prevention, and community engagement across Australia with Bruce and Denise often conducting sessions themselves.
Over the years, the organisation has distributed more than two-million child safety resources and raised over $20million to ensure the continuation of its free programs.
With more plans for books and resources in the pipeline, the Morcombe family are determined to continue their advocacy for many years to come.
Don't Waste It: The Daniel Morcombe Story is available to watch on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation's YouTube page.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Mum and her 10-year-old son allegedly stabbed in horrific road rage attack in Wollongong
A woman will face court today after allegedly stabbing a young mother and her 10-year-old son in a violent roadside altercation in Wollongong. According to police, a 27-year-old woman was driving with her two children, aged 10 and three on West Dapto Road, when they were allegedly forced to stop by another vehicle. The driver of the second car, a 59-year-old woman known to the family, reportedly got out and approached their vehicle, sparking a heated confrontation. The older woman allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed the young mother and her 10-year-old son. Both victims suffered serious stab wounds and were treated on the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being airlifted to hospital. Authorities confirmed that both remain in serious but stable condition. The woman's three-year-old son, who was also in the car, escaped unharmed and is now in the care of a family member. Lake Illawarra Police District officers established a crime scene and launched an immediate investigation. At around 6.30pm police descended on a home in nearby Horsley, where they arrested the 59-year-old suspect. She was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The accused was refused bail and is set to appear before Wollongong Local Court today. Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage related to the incident to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.


Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Two bodies found in Forestville granny flat on Sydney's Northern Beaches
Two bodies have been found in a granny flat behind a property in Sydney 's Northern Beaches after neighbours raised the alarm. NSW Police responded to welfare concerns on Wednesday night and visited a home on Cannons Parade in Forestville just before 9.30pm. Local residents reported that they had not seen the occupants in a few days, reported.


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Killer' dad who 'strangled his three gorgeous daughters to death' hides a chilling secret, brother reveals
Travis Decker – now missing in Washington state 's wilderness after allegedly murdering his three daughters – had a history of escalating violence, according to his brother who revealed when his family attempted to hold an intervention. Thomas, 35, told the Daily Mail exclusively that his brother's actions are unrecognizable from when they were children and begged him to 'stop this evil' and turn himself in after the bodies of his children Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, were found near Rock Island Campground.