The parents of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont have issued a heart-wrenching public appeal for information, describing their lives as "shattered" and every moment without their son as "unbearable." Gus, also known as Angus, vanished from his family's remote sheep station in outback South Australia on September 27 last year, sparking an extensive search and a major police investigation.
From Missing Person to Major Crime
Initially, South Australian police believed Gus might have wandered off from Oak Park station, located near Yunta, approximately 300 kilometers inland from Adelaide. However, after multiple large-scale searches involving drones, divers, dogs, volunteers, police, emergency services, and defense force personnel across the 60,000-hectare property, hope of finding him alive dwindled. By early October, authorities prepared the family for the possibility that Gus may not have survived.
On February 5, the case took a dramatic turn when police announced it was now considered a major crime. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, the officer in charge of major crime, stated that police had identified inconsistencies in the information provided and that one person living at Oak Park station was no longer cooperating with the investigation and was deemed a suspect. Police emphasized this individual was not one of Gus's parents.
A Desperate Plea from Grieving Parents
In a statement released through South Australia police, Gus's parents, Josh and Jess Lamont, shared a new photograph and a short video of Gus riding a bike. "We are united in our grief, and we are united in our search for answers about what happened to our little boy, Gus, who means everything to us," they said. "Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable."
The couple pleaded directly to the public: "We know someone out there may have information. If someone knows what happened, we are pleading with that person – or anyone who may have seen or heard anything – to please come forward. Even the smallest detail could give us the answers we so desperately need." They expressed gratitude to all involved in the search and to supporters who have shown compassion during this "heartbreaking time," adding, "All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy."
Details of the Disappearance and Investigation
Gus was last seen playing outside at 5 p.m. on September 27. When his grandmother went to call him inside half an hour later, he was gone. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with a yellow Minion on the front, a grey sun hat over his blond curls, light-grey pants, and boots.
Police have seized a vehicle, a motorbike, and electronic devices from the property as part of the investigation. While authorities initially stated there was no evidence of foul play, they now believe it is unlikely Gus wandered off or was abducted. Detective Superintendent Fielke confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with police committed to a "thorough and meticulous" probe until an outcome is reached.
In a related development, on February 16, police arrested a 75-year-old man on unrelated firearm offenses stemming from a previous search at Oak Park station, though these charges are not connected to Gus's disappearance. Detectives from Task Force Horizon returned to the property to search for more evidence but did not uncover anything new.
Gus's two grandmothers released a joint statement via their lawyers, affirming that the family has "cooperated fully with the investigation and want nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad."
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
