Grandparent Charged While Police Search for Missing Boy Gus Lamont

Police are searching Oak Park Station for missing boy Gus Lamont. During the search, a 75-year-old grandparent was arrested for gun offences. These charges are not linked to Gus's disappearance.
By Newsroom | Crime, Australia |

Police have arrested and charged a 75-year-old individual with firearm offences at Oak Park Station, the remote property where four-year-old Gus Lamont has been missing since September. While the charges are not directly related to Gus's disappearance, the arrest occurred during a renewed police search for evidence. Authorities maintain that Gus's parents are not suspects in the case.

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Background of Gus Lamont's Disappearance

Gus Lamont vanished from his family's Oak Park Station, a large property located approximately 40km south of Yunta in South Australia, on September 27, 2025. The initial assumption was that Gus had wandered off from the property. Intensive ground and aerial searches, involving hundreds of personnel and volunteers, were conducted in the extensive area surrounding the station. These searches, however, failed to locate Gus or any of his belongings.

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"Police have declared the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont a major crime and have identified a suspect who lives on the remote sheep station."

On February 5, 2026, South Australian Police officially declared Gus's disappearance a major crime. This declaration followed extensive investigations, including extensive searches of the property and surrounding areas, and the analysis of information provided by family members. Police have stated that a suspect, residing at Oak Park Station, has been identified in connection with Gus's disappearance and presumed death. Importantly, police have repeatedly emphasized that Gus's parents, Jessica Murray and Joshua Lamont, are not considered suspects in the investigation.

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Renewed Search and Arrest

On February 16, 2026, police returned to Oak Park Station for a new, two-day search operation. This effort, conducted by Taskforce Horizon detectives, was specifically aimed at gathering further evidence related to Gus's disappearance. During this operation, a 75-year-old individual, identified as a grandparent of Gus, was arrested and subsequently charged with unrelated firearm offences.

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"Police said the 75-year-old would face court in Peterborough."

While the arrest has been confirmed, authorities have been clear that these charges are separate from the investigation into Gus's vanishing. The previous searches at Oak Park Station had yielded no evidence directly assisting in the investigation into Gus's disappearance.

Suspect Identification and Family Involvement

The identification of a suspect living at Oak Park Station marked a significant development in the case. This individual is considered to be involved in Gus's disappearance and suspected death. The police have confirmed that Gus's grandparents, mother, and younger brother were present at the property when he went missing.

"Gus's grandparents Shannon and Josie Murray have both retained high-profile Adelaide defence lawyers after police said they had stopped helping with inquiries."

Following the declaration of the case as a major crime and the identification of a suspect within the family, Gus's grandparents, Shannon and Josie Murray, have reportedly retained separate legal counsel. Police noted that the suspect resides at the station, and while not Gus's parents, they have not explicitly identified the suspect beyond this familial connection.

Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps

The police investigation remains active, with ongoing efforts to locate Gus and understand the circumstances of his disappearance. The recent search operations focused on collecting evidence, differing from earlier efforts aimed at finding Gus. The seized vehicle, motorcycle, and electronic devices are understood to be undergoing forensic testing.

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"Police have concluded another day of searches at the family’s Oak Park Station as the investigation into Gus’ disappearance intensifies."

The arrest and charges related to firearm offences represent a new layer to the ongoing events at Oak Park Station. The focus of the investigation continues to be on Gus Lamont's disappearance, with police committed to finding answers for his family.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Gus Lamont?
Gus Lamont is a four-year-old boy who went missing from his family's property, Oak Park Station, in South Australia on September 27, 2025.
Q: What is happening now?
Police are searching Oak Park Station again for clues about Gus's disappearance. During this search, a 75-year-old grandparent was arrested and charged with gun offences.
Q: Are the charges related to Gus's disappearance?
No, police say the gun charges are not related to why Gus is missing.
Q: Is Gus's family suspected?
Police have said Gus's parents are not suspects in his disappearance. They have identified a suspect who lives at Oak Park Station.
Q: What happened to Gus?
Police believe Gus is dead and have declared his disappearance a major crime. They are still searching for him and trying to find out what happened.