The never-before-seen interview from Daniel Morcombe's murderer
For the first time, a 7 News investigation can reveal chilling details from an interview Daniel Morcombe's killer gave to police after abducting another boy a decade earlier.
In never-before-seen transcripts that his lawyers wanted to keep secret, Brett Peter Cowan was hearing voices, having memory blanks and savage urges.
Before he was Daniel Morcombe's killer, Brett Peter Cowan abducted, abused and tried to murder another boy.
In 1993, a 24-year-old Cowan was living in a Darwin caravan park when he abducted a six-year-old boy.
"He was just saying "No - no - no," reveals one.
"I didn't realise I was doing it until it happened..."
"I didn't want to get caught."
For the first time, 7 News can exclusively reveal Cowan's chilling police interview.
"I asked him for a kiss then he wouldn't - didn't want a kiss."
The child was choked.
Cowan added that there were further "blanks - things that I just can't remember."
"I just had my hand over his mouth at one stage."
Chillingly, Cowan then re-enacted the scene.
"I sat him down and told him not to go anywhere," he said.
"He was sobbing and crying."
Naked and covered in scratches and dirt, the boy was seriously hurt and left for dead by Cowan.
Cowan first denied the attack, then confessed.
"Just wanted to get it off my chest," he told police.
"I wish I'd never done it, I wish it never happened.
"I'm sorry."
Cowan knew he was dangerous.
"I need help, I admit it."
"Sometimes I hear voices in my head..."
10 years later, Daniel disappeared.
Cowan's confessions couldn't be published until after the High Court put an end to his legal saga.
The Morcombes supported the information's release as they fight to raise awareness about sexual predators.
Daniel's parents are pushing for every convicted serious sex offender to be identified on an online register.
