The search for four-year-old Gus Lamont, who disappeared from a remote sheep station in South Australia nearly five months ago, has resumed as investigators treat the case as a major crime and focus on a person previously known to the family.
Police returned to Oak Park Station, located approximately 45 kilometers south of Yunta in the state’s Mid North, on , and plan to remain on site for at least two days, searching for new evidence. The renewed effort comes after authorities declared on that a person who lived at the property was considered a suspect in Gus’s disappearance and presumed death.
Gus was last seen by his grandmother playing outside the homestead on . Initial searches, spanning almost 500 square kilometers, involved hundreds of police and volunteers, aerial support, and mounted units, but yielded no clues as to his whereabouts. The scale of the initial operation reflected the immediate concern for a young child believed to be lost in a vast and unforgiving landscape.
The investigation has evolved significantly since then. While the initial focus was on the possibility of Gus wandering off and becoming lost, police now believe foul play is involved. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke stated previously, “We don’t believe now that Gus is alive.” This shift in perspective prompted the reclassification of the case as a major crime.
Authorities have stressed that Gus’s parents are not considered suspects. However, a person residing at Oak Park Station has become the central focus of the investigation after providing information to police containing “a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies,” according to a police statement. This individual subsequently withdrew their cooperation, leading investigators to identify them as a suspect.
The family of Gus Lamont has expressed their devastation at the turn of events. Josie and Shannon Murray, Gus’s grandparents, released a statement through their lawyers earlier this month, stating, “We are absolutely devastated by the media release of SAPOL Major Crime. The family has co-operated fully with the investigation and want nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad.” They have indicated they will not be making any further public comments.
Police conducted a thorough search of the homestead on , seizing a vehicle, a motorcycle, and electronic devices for forensic analysis. The results of these examinations have not yet been publicly disclosed, but are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation.
The remote location of Oak Park Station presents significant challenges to investigators. The station, a working sheep farm, is situated in a sparsely populated area of South Australia, far from major towns and cities. This isolation complicates the search for evidence and limits potential witnesses.
The case has garnered significant attention both within Australia and internationally, highlighting the vulnerability of children in remote areas and the complexities of investigating disappearances in challenging environments. The prolonged absence of any trace of Gus Lamont has fueled public concern and prompted calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Taskforce Horizon, established in October 2025 to investigate Gus’s disappearance, is leading the current search efforts. The taskforce comprises detectives from across South Australia Police, utilizing specialized resources and expertise to unravel the mystery surrounding Gus’s fate. The renewed search at Oak Park Station represents a critical phase in the investigation, as police attempt to gather the evidence needed to bring closure to this deeply distressing case.
While the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful for answers, and the family continues to grieve the loss of their young son. The focus now rests on the evidence collected at Oak Park Station and the potential for a breakthrough in the investigation.
