Bittersweet moment for parents of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe as they become grandparents on the 15th annual day to remember the little boy’s life
The parents of a teenage boy who was brutally murdered have celebrated the birth of their grandchild on the 15th anniversary of their 'Day for Daniel'.
Daniel Morcombe was just 13 when he was abducted from a bus stop and choked to death in Queensland's Sunshine Coast in December, 2003.
His parents - Bruce and Denise - announced on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Facebook page the arrival of Elsie May Morcombe, their new granddaughter.
She is the daughter of Daniel's brother, Dean.
'Congratulations to Alice and Dean all doing well. Love Nana and Pa,' the new grandparents wrote on social media.
Daniel Morcombe's parents - Bruce and Denise - announced on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Facebook the arrival of their granddaughter Elsie May
Daniel Morcombe was 13 when he was abducted from a bus stop and choked to death in Queensland's Sunshine Coast in December, 2003
Alice and Dean were engaged in New Zealand in 2016 before getting married on the Sunshine Coast two years later.
Social media users congratulated the grandparents on the arrival of little Elsie.
'How beautiful definitely a precious gift and a gift that Daniel wanted you to receive on this special day from the sadness to the joy of a new life,' one person said.
Another said: 'Daniel was definitely watching from above and has given that day some happy memories for you now.'
A third said: 'Such wonderful timing that Elsie May was born on Daniel's day. May her life be filled with love and joy.'
Daniel was abducted from a bus stop in 2003, and his body wasn't found until 2011 in nearby bushland.
Brett Peter Cowan, who was arrested a month before Daniel's body was found, was twice convicted of sex crimes before abducting Daniel from a bus stop.
He was handed a life sentence in 2014 for Daniel's murder and cannot apply for parole until he has served 20 years.
His parents set up the Day for Daniel to commemorate the little boy's life.
Alice and Dean Morcombe were engaged in New Zealand in 2016 before getting married on the Sunshine Coast two years later