Missing boy William Tyrrell is the nephew of a 5 Seconds of Summer rock star.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal 5SOS guitarist Michael Clifford, 21, and the toddler’s biological dad Brendan, 36, share the same father, Daryl Clifford.
The surprising family connection between Australia’s most famous missing boy and one of the world’s hottest bands can be disclosed after a landmark court decision.
William’s grandmother, Natalie Collins, said she was in a relationship with Daryl, from Sydney’s west, in the 1980s.
Surprising family connection: Michael Clifford, the guitarist from 5 Seconds of Summer, is the uncle of missing boy William Tyrrell, who vanished on September 12, 2014
Ties that bind: Natalie Collins (left) is the grandmother of William Tyrrell. Ms Collins and Daryl Clifford (pictured right with son Michael) had their son Brendan, William’s father, in the 1980s
One of the world’s biggest bands: 5SOS, including Clifford (left) and Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin and Callum Hood, are pictured performing in California
Toddler William Tyrrell (pictured) vanished from his foster grandmother’s garden while wearing a Spiderman suit on September 12, 2014
But their relationship fell apart. Afterward, Daryl met his long time wife Karen, and the pair had Michael in 1995.
Ms Collins claimed the Clifford family briefly gave William and his parents a place to live when he was a baby.
‘William lived with Daryl and Karen and Michael for a few months when he was a baby,’ she said.
‘They took Karlie and Brendan in to live with them’.
Michael has had astonishing run of success with 5 Seconds of Summer and is currently touring the world.
The western Sydney band has topped the Billboard charts in the United States and opened for One Direction on several occasions.
Neither Daryl or Michael have spoken publicly about the toddler, who vanished from his foster grandmother’s garden on September 12, 2014.
Clifford (pictured), aged 21, is the son of western Sydney couple Daryl and Karen Clifford
William’s biological mother Karlie was named for the first time in the media last week
Ms Tyrrell (left) has kept mum about the disappearance of her little boy (right)
Ms Collins (pictured) said she used to be in a relationship with Daryl Clifford, the father of Michael Clifford and her son Brendan
It’s understood the Clifford family had only a minor involvement in William’s life.
There is no suggestion any member of William’s family or foster family were involved in his disappearance.
William’s biological mother, Karlie Tyrrell, and father, Brendan Collins, were named in the press for the first time last week.
The disclosure came after a court allowed the fact William was in foster care at the time of his disappearance to be published.
Justice Brereton argued: ‘That (William) disappeared while he was in the parental responsibility of the Minister, and in the care of departmentally approved carers, is a matter of legitimate public interest….
‘There is a substantial public interest in accountability and scrutiny of the out-of-home care system, and in accuracy of reportage of the circumstances of Julian’s disappearance.’
In response to the revelations last week, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin said: ‘The investigation into the disappearance of William Tyrrell is very much ongoing.
Police are pictured searching dense bushland for evidence for the missing boy in March 2015
‘It is important to note that at the time of his disappearance, William was living in a loving home and was well cared for.
‘There is no indication his family status played any part in his disappearance.’
There remains a $1 million reward for information on William’s whereabouts.
5SOS have toured in Japan and Russia in recent days and are poised to visit South America shortly.
A 5SOS spokeswoman said it was ‘unlikely’ the band or its management would comment, and did not provide a comment despite an extended deadline.
Daryl Clifford did not respond to requests for comment.
Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.