But when rumours about the shotgun spread through the Mount Isa community and reached grieving family members just one day later, the family was devastated.

Kyle’s father Rob Coleman has decided to speak to the media to try to quell some of the rumours, and to “let the community know what we as a family know and are going through together”.

It is believed key evidence, which could reveal what happened to the missing Mount Isa teenager, was released by a third party who was privy to this evidence and also asked to keep it confidential.

Kyle was last seen with an unrelated friend, James Coleman, on a hunting trip at Undilla Station, about 60 kilometres from Camooweal.

A shotgun that James had brought on the hunting trip was later found in a Mount Isa residence after a search warrant was issued by the police.

DNA testing proved the blood belonged to Kyle, Mr Coleman said.

“It was clearly explained to myself and my wife it was a blood splatter, not blood transference, and that it matched Kyle’s DNA,” Mr Coleman said. 

“That in itself gives a fair indication of what happened.

‘‘The gun would have to have been close to Kyle if he was shot.

“In my opinion, it would have to have been very close range.”

It was still up to the coroner to decide what happened, but Mr Coleman said it could take up to 18 months after police filed their report before the findings were released.

Police were still treating Kyle’s disappearance as a missing person’s investigation. But in Mr Coleman’s opinion the investigation was no longer about finding a missing person.  

“I just want to make it clear – [Kyle] is certainly not a runaway,” he said.

Burnt evidence, which included a watch given to Kyle as a Christmas present last year by his parents, was found in bushland at Undilla Station.

Remains of swag material and a piece of doona were also found, which the family believes is Kyle’s, Mr Coleman said.

“There are stains in the ground, of what look to be diesel stains,’’ he said.

“There has been quite a large fire there where this evidence has been recovered.

“But nothing else around that area has been burnt, which is unusual in itself.”

The burnt objects were found about 20 kilometres from where Kyle and James were supposed to be, Mr Coleman said.

Mr Coleman said the property owner Lindsay Miller had advised them they would not be able to pass the first river crossing, but they had gone far beyond that.

Mr Miller was the last person apart from James to have seen Kyle, and this was at 2.30pm on Friday, February 21.

There was no evidence to support reports to police that  Kyle was later seen at a party in Mount Isa, Mr Coleman said.

“I don’t believe he was in town, there are no statements from what I have been told that can confirm Kyle was in town,’’ he said.

“From what we have been told, the reports of Kyle being at parties were unsubstantiated and no one interviewed could confirm that he was.

“If Kyle had made it back to town he would of called me.”

The last words Mr Coleman heard from his son was “talk to you later ol’ fella” in a phone call just before Kyle left town.

Mr Coleman said James apparently told police when the investigation began that they had both returned to Mount Isa, but these claims were not proven.

He told police that Kyle was carrying his swag and backpack after leaving James’s house, Mr Coleman said.

“But no one saw him and that also has not been proven,’’ Mr Coleman said.

“You would think at 6am on a Saturday, someone would have seen Kyle walking home carrying his swag on the Barkly Highway.

‘‘It is a very busy road at that time of the morning.”

Other items that could be from Kyle’s backpack were also found burnt at Undilla.

Mr Coleman said the family was seeking closure more than anything, and would like to know what happened to their only son.

“As a family, we just want to keep it out there that Kyle’s still missing, and we need to bring him home,’’ Mr Coleman said.

“We want to bring him home and give him the respect he deserves. 

‘‘And we will not stop until we do.”

The Colemans thanked Lindsay Miller and family for the help and support they have given.

“Without their relentless efforts we would not know what we do now,” Mr Coleman said.

“Thank you to all the Mount Isa community who have supported us through this, words cannot express our thanks.”