Did police miss the chance to find vital clues in hunt for Etan Patz? Basement of handyman who befriended boy could have been dug up 33 years ago but cops said it 'wasn't worth the cost'

The decades-old case could have been solved years ago and the search for Etan Patz - which reached as far as Israel -  could have stayed on the very street he lived in, it emerged today.


Police had the opportunity to search the Manhattan basement formerly belonging to Othniel Miller, 75, which is now at the center of their investigation soon after the six-year-old went missing - but decided not to because it would be too costly.


The FBI and NYPD returned to the place they had considered taking jackhammers to 33 years ago after questioning handyman Miller several times over the last few months.       Read Full