Tempers run high in day four of the search for missing Matthew Leveson

Amelia Zhou

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The police search for the body of missing man Matthew Leveson, who disappeared nine years ago, ended its fourth day with no new evidence of the remains.

Bulldozing by police began early on Sunday morning in the Royal National Park south of Sydney, clearing out dense bushland and dirt just metres from the main road.

The night Matthew Leveson went missing

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The night Matthew Leveson went missing

Matthew Leveson's brother describes the last time he saw Matthew at a nightclub in Sydney in 2007. Vision: 60 Minutes, Channel Nine (November 2015).

Matthew's brother, Jason Leveson, lashed out at the media, yelling "vultures" as photographers and television crew followed a woman placing flowers at the entrance to the crime scene in the afternoon.

Matthew vanished in September 2007 after a night out at Sydney's ARQ nightclub with his then-boyfriend Michael Atkins, who was charged and later acquitted of his murder two years later.

Mark Leveson, father of the 20-year-old missing man, was "quiet and hopeful" that police will find evidence of his son's body.

"The police are searching with patterns to make sure they miss nothing. So it's long and slow but in doing that, they're not missing a square centimetre," he said.

Matthew's mother, Faye Leveson, hoped that a recovery of the body will bring closure to the family.

"It's been a long, long nine years and we just want to bring him home," she said.

Matthew Leveson's parents, Faye and Mark Leveson, at the search area of Royal National Park. Photo: Louise Kennerley

"I just want to be able to lay him to rest and for his brothers to know where he is now."

On Saturday, an undisclosed item was retrieved by police as evidence for further analysis.

Michael Atkins and Matthew Leveson before Matthew's disappearance in 2007. Photo: Supplied

In a surprise breakthrough last Thursday, Mr Atkins broke years of silence to lead police to Matthew's possible burial site after striking an immunity deal with NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton.

The immunity clause means that he cannot be prosecuted for any evidence he gives on Matthew's death, unless he commits perjury or contempt of court.

Police search an area of the Royal National Park for the body of Matthew Leveson. Photo: Louise Kennerley

In the nine years proceeding Matthew's disappearance, the Levesons themselves tirelessly scoured the Royal National Park day and night, going as far as "thinking like a killer" to track down Matthew's body.

The search continues on Monday.