The grandparents of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont have expressed devastation after South Australian police declared his disappearance a major crime and identified a person close to the family as a suspect.
Gus Lamont was last seen playing outside the homestead of Oak Park Station, a sprawling sheep station in the South Australian outback, on . The case, initially treated as a missing person inquiry, has now been reclassified as a suspected homicide, marking a significant shift in the investigation.
Police revealed on , that a person residing at Oak Park Station is now considered a suspect. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke emphasized that the boy’s parents are not under investigation. The suspect had been cooperating with police but subsequently withdrew their support, prompting the reclassification of the case.
“As a result of these inconsistencies, and investigations into them, a person… has withdrawn their support for the police and is no longer cooperating with us,” Superintendent Fielke stated. “The person who has withdrawn their co-operation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus.”
The development comes after an extensive four-month search operation covering nearly 500 square kilometers. Initial efforts focused on the possibility that Gus had wandered off and become lost, utilizing ground crews, aerial support, and mounted units. However, investigators now believe Gus never left the property.
Josie and Shannon Murray, Gus’s maternal grandmothers, released a statement through their respective legal representatives on . “We are absolutely devastated by the media release of SAPOL Major Crime,” the statement read. “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.”
Andrew Ey, representing Josie Murray, and Casey Isaacs, representing Shannon Murray, indicated that the grandmothers would not be making any further public comments at this time.
The investigation took a critical turn in mid-, when police executed a search warrant at the Oak Park Station homestead. Items seized for forensic testing included a vehicle, a motorcycle, and various electronic devices. Superintendent Fielke explained that the search was prompted by “a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies” identified in information provided by family members.
“Only as recently as when we attended [the homestead], did we get more information that we have analysed and reviewed, which again has highlighted some discrepancies,” Fielke added.
While the initial search assumed Gus was alive, police now state they do not believe this to be the case. “We don’t believe now that Gus is alive,” Superintendent Fielke confirmed.
Oak Park Station, located approximately 43 kilometers south of Yunta in South Australia, is a remote and expansive property. Gus was last seen playing on a mound of dirt near the homestead at approximately 5:00 PM on the day he disappeared. His grandmother reportedly attempted to call him inside at 5:30 PM, but he was no longer there.
The case has drawn significant attention in South Australia and beyond, prompting an outpouring of support for the Lamont family. The remote location and the length of time Gus has been missing have presented significant challenges for investigators. The declaration of a major crime and the identification of a suspect represent a crucial, albeit somber, development in the ongoing investigation.
Police continue to appeal to the public for any information that may assist with the investigation, despite the passage of time and the changing nature of the case. The focus now remains on gathering evidence and building a case against the identified suspect, bringing closure to the devastated family and community.
