The grandparents of four-year-old Gus Lamont say they are “absolutely devastated” after South Australia Police officially declared his disappearance a major crime investigation. The announcement marked a significant shift in the case, intensifying scrutiny and raising fresh concerns for the family and the wider community.
On Thursday, police confirmed they now have a suspect connected to Oak Park Station, the remote property where Gus was last seen on September 27. Authorities emphasized that the suspect is not one of Gus’s parents. In response, grandparents Josie and Shannon Murray released a statement saying the family has fully cooperated with investigators and remains focused on one goal — finding Gus and reuniting him with his mother and father. They described themselves as heartbroken following the police announcement. Their legal representatives later confirmed the couple would not be giving interviews or making additional public comments.
Police initially began searching for Gus in late September. During a press conference update, Major Crime officer Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke revealed that officers executed a warrant at the property in January, carrying out an extensive forensic search and seizing various items. He disclosed that a person living at Oak Park Station had recently withdrawn cooperation with investigators and is now considered a suspect in Gus’s disappearance.
According to Detective Superintendent Fielke, investigators shifted their focus after identifying inconsistencies and discrepancies in information provided about timelines and events. He stated that police believe the suspect is someone known to Gus. He also acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation, emphasizing that members of Task Force Horizon are mindful of the impact these developments have on the family.
Criminologist Vincent Hurley, a former New South Wales police officer with nearly three decades of experience, said that while the public may find the latest developments surprising, they would not necessarily shock law enforcement professionals. He explained that police routinely explore multiple investigative possibilities from the outset, even if only one theory is publicly emphasized at a time. Hurley added that media briefings are carefully planned and delivered for specific strategic reasons, though the public is not always aware of the broader operational context behind them.
He also addressed criticism surrounding the initial focus on the possibility that Gus had wandered off, noting that police rarely limit themselves to a single investigative path. According to Hurley, authorities would have considered various scenarios from the beginning, even if not all were publicly disclosed.
Central Queensland University criminologist Xanthe Mallett said the level of detail shared during Thursday’s media conference suggested police wanted to reassure the public that every investigative avenue had been explored. She noted that after a period of limited updates, community members had begun questioning the progress of the investigation. While she cautioned that charges may still be a long way off, she described the briefing as providing a clear snapshot of where the case currently stands.
Dr. Mallett also highlighted the use of advanced technology in the search effort, including drone operations and artificial intelligence tools that South Australia Police had not previously used in this way. These technologies were employed to analyze who was present at the homestead during the relevant timeframe.
In the nearby township of Peterborough, about 80 kilometers from Yunta, residents have been processing the latest developments. Some locals admitted they were not entirely surprised by the direction of the investigation, though many remain deeply saddened. Leonie Polomka said the disappearance felt close to home and expressed sympathy for the family, describing the uncertainty as unimaginable. Another resident, Herbie Fielding, said he hoped Gus would eventually be found so the family could have answers and closure.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain focused on determining what happened to Gus Lamont. While many questions remain unanswered, police maintain that their work is ongoing and methodical. For the family and the broader community, the hope remains that clarity and resolution will eventually emerge from this deeply distressing case.