ID :
204416
Tue, 08/30/2011 - 14:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/204416
The shortlink copeid
Qld offers to pay for Morcombe funeral
Daniel Morcombe's funeral may be funded by the public if his parents accept an offer from the Queensland premier.
Anna Bligh says her government has told the Morcombe family it would help them make "appropriate, dignified arrangements to farewell Daniel".
"I don't believe the family have made a decision yet," Ms Bligh told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"If the Morcombe family wanted our assistance to ensure that Daniel can be laid to rest properly, then we would be standing ready to help."
Daniel was 13 when he disappeared from a bus stop at Woombye, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, on December 7, 2003, just 12 days short of his 14th birthday.
Queensland police on Sunday said DNA testing of bones pulled from swampy bushland were confirmed as Daniel's.
Perth man Brett Peter Cowan, 41, was charged on August 13 with Daniel's abduction and murder, sparking an intense search of bushland at Beerwah, about 30km from Woombye.
Three bones were found last Sunday.
Days earlier, searchers turned up two shoes of the same brand Daniel was wearing when he disappeared.
The search for Daniel's remains was suspended on Tuesday for a second time due to bad weather.
"I don't think there is a parent in Australia who doesn't feel this week for the Morcombe family," Ms Bligh said.
"I think all of us were hoping that there was still a little flame of hope, and that's been extinguished with confirmation that the DNA is in fact Daniel's.
"Anybody who has watched Denise and Bruce Morcombe over the last eight years - not only grieve for their son but remain strong, bring his circumstances to national attention, give a child-safety message and never let his memory die - can't help but be impressed by them."
Anna Bligh says her government has told the Morcombe family it would help them make "appropriate, dignified arrangements to farewell Daniel".
"I don't believe the family have made a decision yet," Ms Bligh told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
"If the Morcombe family wanted our assistance to ensure that Daniel can be laid to rest properly, then we would be standing ready to help."
Daniel was 13 when he disappeared from a bus stop at Woombye, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, on December 7, 2003, just 12 days short of his 14th birthday.
Queensland police on Sunday said DNA testing of bones pulled from swampy bushland were confirmed as Daniel's.
Perth man Brett Peter Cowan, 41, was charged on August 13 with Daniel's abduction and murder, sparking an intense search of bushland at Beerwah, about 30km from Woombye.
Three bones were found last Sunday.
Days earlier, searchers turned up two shoes of the same brand Daniel was wearing when he disappeared.
The search for Daniel's remains was suspended on Tuesday for a second time due to bad weather.
"I don't think there is a parent in Australia who doesn't feel this week for the Morcombe family," Ms Bligh said.
"I think all of us were hoping that there was still a little flame of hope, and that's been extinguished with confirmation that the DNA is in fact Daniel's.
"Anybody who has watched Denise and Bruce Morcombe over the last eight years - not only grieve for their son but remain strong, bring his circumstances to national attention, give a child-safety message and never let his memory die - can't help but be impressed by them."
