The day not only marks his birthday, but is a way to keep the little boy's mysterious disappearance front of mind for those who continue to search for answers.

Five years ago, the then toddler wearing a Spiderman suit, was taken from his grandmother's home on Benaroon Drive at Kendall. He has not been seen since and the conclusion is that he has likely been abducted.

Today (June 26) is William's eighth birthday.

An intensive search that explored possible scenarios and person of interest around the world has not brought the Hastings community any closer to finding out what happened on September 12, 2014.

William's disappearance is now the subject of a coronial inquest. The second hearing of the inquest before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame in the NSW Coroner's Court will be heard in August.

Evidence from family and emergency services personnel involved in the initial search has painted a picture of how the day William disappeared unfolded. It also sheds some light on the little boy's complicated family history.

In the latest development, head of Strike Force Rosann, Detective Chief Inspector Gary Jubelin who has collected thousands of pieces of evidence relating to the case, resigned from the NSW Police Force amid allegations of misconduct.

He is accused of using a mobile phone to record someone without a warrant and will face a Sydney court in July charged with four offences under the Surveillance Devices Act.

"Today is William's eighth birthday - another birthday without our precious little boy," his family posted to the Where's William Facebook page.

"Instead of celebrating with laughter, cake, toys and treats for our happy, growing eight-year-old boy; today we are reminded that it's been 1748 sleeps without you - almost five long years of overwhelming loss, fears and tears.

"Today our thoughts are of you, William, and of the lost moments, the lost years. The years of not knowing what has happened to you, of not knowing where you are, of not knowing if you're happy or if you're sad.

"Happy eighth birthday William. Wherever you are, you are in our hearts and in our thoughts every minute of every day. We will never give up on you, not today, not ever. This has and always will be our promise to you."

The Where's William Tyrrell Facebook page, which has more than 105,000 followers, has shared a podcast featuring 10 News First journalists Lia Harris and Natarsha Belling. The podcast discusses William's disappearance, the extent of the search, the twists and turns in the years that follow and interviews with his foster parents.

A $1 million reward for information leading to the return or recovery of William Tyrrell remains in play.