Family Devastated as Suspect Identified in Gus Lamont Disappearance
The grandparents of four-year-old Gus Lamont have expressed their devastation after South Australian police revealed a family member is now considered a suspect in his disappearance, which is being treated as a major crime.
Gus was last seen playing outside the family homestead on a large sheep station near Yunta in the South Australian outback on September 27, 2025. Police announced Thursday they had identified a suspect who resided at Oak Park Station, but clarified that Gus’s parents were not considered suspects in the case.
Josie and Shannon Murray, Gus’s grandparents, released a brief statement through their lawyers on Friday. “We are absolutely devastated by the media release of SAPOL Major Crime,” the statement read, referring to the South Australian Police update. “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.” Their lawyers indicated the couple would not be making any further comments.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke explained during a press conference that the suspect had withdrawn their cooperation with the investigation after police identified “a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies” in the information they provided. “As a result of these inconsistencies, and investigations into them, a person who resides at Oak Park station has withdrawn their support for the police and is no longer cooperating with us,” Fielke said. “The person who has withdrawn their cooperation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus.”
The investigation began as a large-scale search spanning almost 500 square kilometers, involving hundreds of police and volunteers, aerial support, and mounted units. Initially, the search focused on the possibility that Gus had wandered off and become lost. However, Fielke stated that police now believe this is unlikely and are treating the case as a major crime.
According to Fielke, investigators explored three main possibilities: that Gus wandered off and became lost, that he was abducted, or that someone known to him was involved in his disappearance and suspected death. “We don’t believe now that Gus is alive,” he said.
Police conducted a forensic search of the homestead on January 14 and 15, seizing a vehicle, a motorcycle, and electronic devices for testing. Despite extensive ground and aerial searches, neither Gus nor any items belonging to him have been located. Fielke noted that family members had provided information that police have been reviewing.
“As a result of that, we have identified a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies with that information as it relates to timelines and the version of events provided to us by the family members,” Fielke said. He acknowledged the difficulty of investigating family members, stating, “It’s challenging, it’s delicate at times when you’re dealing with family members… our people have been unwavering and kept an open mind.”
The case has drawn significant attention, with the family’s ordeal unfolding over several months. The declaration of a suspect within the household marks a significant shift in the investigation, as police continue their efforts to determine what happened to Gus Lamont.
