Daniel Morcombe parents Bruce and Denise share bittersweet news on Day for Daniel

The parents of murdered schoolboy Daniel Morcombe have welcomed a granddaughter on a day that holds bittersweet memories for the Queensland couple.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe shared the heartwarming news on their Daniel Morcombe Foundation Facebook page earlier today amid a flurry of well wishers showing their support.

“Welcome Elsie May Morcombe born yesterday on Day for Daniel 7lb 13oz,” the post reads.

“Congratulations to Alice and Dean all doing well.

“Love Nana and Pa xxx”

The birth just happened to coincide with the 15th annual “Day for Daniel”.

Held on the last Friday of October of each year, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe — Bruce and Denise’s son who was abducted and murdered on the Sunshine Coast in 2003 when he was just 13-years-old.

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Daniel’s disappearance was one of the most extensively investigated crimes in Queensland’s history, with rewards totalling one million dollars offered for information.

However, the identity of Daniel’s abductor remained a mystery until August 13, 2011 when police revealed they had charged Bunbury-born man Brett Peter Cowan in relation to the crimes.

Daniel’s remains were found later that month and Cowan found guilty of murder, indecently dealing with a child under the age of 16 and improperly dealing with a corpse.

Cowan was sentenced to life without parole until August 2031.

The Morcombe family initially established the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and put its resources into keeping Daniel’s disappearance in the public eye in an effort to find out what happened to their son.

The foundation remains committed to educating children about personal safety and to raising awareness throughout Australia of the dangers of predatory criminals.