South Australia Police have identified a suspect in the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont, who went missing from his family’s remote sheep station near Yunta on 27 September.
Gus was last seen playing outside his home when his grandmother left him alone for about 30 minutes. Upon returning, she discovered the boy was missing, prompting one of the largest land and air searches in the state’s history. Authorities covered approximately 470 square kilometres, nearly twice the size of Edinburgh, but no trace of Gus was found.
In late October, police scaled back search efforts and established a 12-member task force to focus on the investigation. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters that the team had identified “a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies” in statements provided by family members.
He confirmed that a person living on the property, who had withdrawn cooperation with police, has now been identified as a suspect. This information was reported by BBC News,
Authorities emphasised that Gus’s parents are not under investigation. In January, police returned to the property, seizing a vehicle, a motorcycle, and several electronic devices as part of ongoing inquiries.
Investigators had initially considered three scenarios: that Gus wandered off, was abducted, or that someone known to him was involved in his disappearance and suspected death. Given the extreme remoteness of the property, abduction has been ruled out, and there is no evidence that the child simply walked away.
Det Supt Fielke added that the investigation remains “active and meticulous.” He told reporters: “We are focused and determined to locate Gus and return him to his parents. Nothing is off the table.”
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for any information that could assist in locating the boy and resolving the case.
