Daniel Morcombe (Altar boy) 13, murdered

[Lady Cop]

A SWIFT succession of finds in the search for Daniel Morcombe's remains has given his parents renewed hope of burying their boy by Christmas.

Daniel's parents, Denise and Bruce, had hoped to hold their son's funeral on the anniversary of his disappearance but were warned it could take longer to recover most of the 13-year-old's remains, the Courier-Mail reported.

However, Mrs Morcombe said three discoveries of human bones since Thursday had raised her hopes that a service on the significant date was possible.

"It's just a matter of time (before the next find)," she said.

"As sad as it is, we don't want (the search) to drag on for months and months." Police said the remains, found in the primary search site off Kings Rd in the Glass House Mountains, would be forensically tested.

This comes after three bones unearthed last month were confirmed to be Daniel's.

Forensic testing of two Globe sneakers, found about 10m apart at the primary search area, was still ongoing.

While the Morcombes remained focused on finding Daniel's remains, they also hoped to recover his distinctive fob-style pocket watch with "Dan" engraved on it, which he was carrying when he vanished while waiting for a bus at Woombye in December 2003.

"He bought it for himself but (Daniel's twin) Brad had got it engraved early for him for his (14^th) birthday," Mrs Morcombe said.

"That would be (sentimental) and there's a wallet too."











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