Family Member Named Suspect in Gus Lamont's Presumed Death; Grandparents Hire Lawyers Amidst Major Crime Probe!

Gus Lamont is presumed dead, and a family member is the prime suspect. His grandparents have hired lawyers as police declare the case a major crime. 'The focus has shifted intensely onto the individuals present at the property,' say investigators.
By Newsroom | True Crime, Australia |

Adelaide, SA – In a dramatic turn of events, the grandparents of four-year-old Gus Lamont, who has been missing since September 27th last year, have hired separate lawyers following a bombshell announcement by South Australian police. Authorities have officially declared Gus’s disappearance a major crime and identified a suspect, whom they confirm is a family member but not his parents. This revelation comes after months of searching and has plunged the family into further turmoil, with police now believing the child is dead.

The unfolding investigation raises a chilling series of questions about what happened to Gus on the remote Oak Park Station, a vast sheep property located hundreds of kilometers north-east of Adelaide. With the investigation now a formal "major crime," the focus has shifted intensely onto the individuals present at the property on the day Gus vanished.

A Disappearance Shrouded in Mystery: Timeline and Key Players

Gus Lamont was last seen playing outside his family's homestead on September 27th, 2023. His grandmother, Shannon Murray, was reportedly inside caring for his younger brother, while his mother, Jessica, and another grandparent, Josie Murray, were tending sheep about 10 kilometers away. Gus’s father, Joshua Lamont, lived approximately two hours away and was not present at the station when his son disappeared.

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The alarm was raised by the family three hours after Gus was last seen, prompting an extensive ground and aerial search of the remote property and surrounding areas. Initially, police operated under the theory that Gus might have wandered off and become lost. However, despite thorough searches, including of nearby mine shafts, no trace of the four-year-old or any of his belongings has been found.

"The search for Gus was based on him walking off from Oak Park Station and becoming lost." - Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke (via Daily Mail Australia)

The situation took a significant turn on February 5th, 2026, when police declared the case a "major crime," signaling a shift in their investigative approach and a deepening concern for Gus’s welfare.

  • September 27, 2023: Gus Lamont last seen playing at Oak Park Station.

  • September 27, 2023 (3 hours later): Family reports Gus missing to police.

  • Late September 2023 onwards: Extensive ground and air searches conducted.

  • November 2023: Search teams focus on mine shafts near the property.

  • February 2, 2026: Police conduct a targeted search for Gus's remains around Oak Park Station.

  • February 5, 2026: Police declare the case a "major crime" and identify a suspect.

The Shocking Revelation: A Family Member Under Suspicion

The most startling development in the Gus Lamont case is the identification of a suspect who is not Gus's parents but someone known to him and living at the Oak Park Station property. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke of SA Police has been the public face of these announcements.

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"A person - we have a suspect - who we believe is known to Gus." - Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke (via Daily Mail Australia)

Fielke has repeatedly stressed that Gus's parents, Jessica Lamont and Joshua Lamont, are not suspects. This distinction is crucial, as it points the finger towards another individual within Gus's immediate household or extended family who was present on the property.

Key Facts About the SuspectDetails
Relationship to GusKnown to Gus, lives at Oak Park Station.
Parental StatusNot Gus’s mother or father.
Presence at PropertyWas present at Oak Park Station at the time of Gus's disappearance.
Cooperation with PoliceHas reportedly withdrawn cooperation.

This development is particularly troubling given that, according to Detective Superintendent Fielke, only three people were on the property at the time of Gus's disappearance. Who were these three individuals, and why has one of them become a suspect? Did the initial accounts provided by those present contain "inconsistencies," as suggested by police, leading to this identification?

Following the police announcement, Gus's grandparents, Shannon Murray and Josie Murray, have taken the significant step of hiring separate lawyers. This action underscores the gravity of the situation and their desire for legal counsel amidst the ongoing investigation.

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While police have confirmed that the grandparents are not suspects, their engagement of legal representation signals a deep concern and perhaps a need to protect their interests. Lawyers representing the grandparents have issued a joint statement acknowledging their clients are "devastated" by the recent developments.

"The lawyers representing the pair said they would not participate in any interviews or comment further." (via ABC News)

The decision to hire lawyers, separate from any legal representation Gus’s parents might have, raises questions about potential family dynamics and divisions. Are they seeking legal advice on behalf of Gus, or are they preparing for potential repercussions within the family as the investigation intensifies? The police’s statement that the suspect has "withdrawn their cooperation" further heightens the tension and suggests a complex familial web.

The "Major Crime" Declaration: What It Signifies

Declaring Gus Lamont's disappearance a "major crime" is not a procedural formality; it signifies that police now believe a serious offense, likely involving foul play, has occurred. This classification typically means:

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  • Increased Resources: More investigators, forensic teams, and resources will be allocated.

  • Focus on Offense: The investigation shifts from a missing person to a potential homicide.

  • Higher Stakes: The legal implications for any perpetrator will be severe.

"The major crime declaration reflects the seriousness of the investigation, and that they were confident Gus didn’t walk off on his own." (via 7NEWS)

The police’s confidence that Gus did not simply wander off is a direct refutation of earlier theories. Coupled with the identification of a suspect within the household, this points strongly towards an orchestrated event. What specific evidence or inconsistencies in accounts led the police to this definitive conclusion about Gus not leaving on his own accord?

Unanswered Questions and Future Directions

The identification of a suspect within Gus Lamont’s family circle, coupled with the declaration of a major crime and the belief that Gus is dead, leaves a trail of profound questions:

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  • Who is the suspect? Police have remained tight-lipped about the suspect’s identity and specific role. What is their precise relationship to Gus, and what evidence directly implicates them?

  • What were the inconsistencies? Detective Superintendent Fielke alluded to "inconsistencies" in family accounts. What specific discrepancies were noted, and how did they lead investigators to identify the suspect?

  • What is the motive? Without knowing the suspect’s identity, understanding a potential motive remains impossible, but it is central to reconstructing the events of that day.

  • Where is Gus? The searches have so far failed to locate Gus or his remains. Will the focus on the suspect lead to this critical information?

  • What is the role of the grandparents? While cleared of suspicion, their hiring of lawyers and their statements of devastation suggest a deep emotional and perhaps protective stance. Do they possess any information that has not yet been shared?

  • What are the implications for the remaining family members? The investigation is clearly creating immense strain. How will the family navigate this period of intense scrutiny and grief?

The coming days and weeks will be critical as the investigation into Gus Lamont's disappearance continues to evolve. The engagement of legal representation by his grandparents signifies a new phase, one where the family, through their lawyers, may seek clarity or perhaps brace for further revelations in this deeply tragic case. The public, meanwhile, awaits answers about the fate of a young boy and the truth behind his vanishing from a remote South Australian station.

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Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the suspect in Gus Lamont's presumed death?
Police have identified a suspect who is a family member and lived at Oak Park Station, but confirmed it is not Gus's parents.
Q: Why did Gus Lamont's grandparents hire lawyers?
Following the bombshell announcement that a family member is a suspect and Gus is presumed dead, his grandparents hired separate lawyers, signaling their deep concern and need for legal counsel.
Q: What does the 'major crime' declaration mean for the investigation?
This declaration signifies police believe foul play occurred, shifting the focus from a missing person case to a potential homicide and allocating increased resources to the investigation.
Q: What evidence led police to name a suspect?
Police alluded to 'inconsistencies' in initial accounts from those present at Oak Park Station on the day Gus vanished, which led investigators to identify the suspect.
Q: Where was Gus Lamont last seen?
Gus Lamont was last seen playing outside his family's homestead on the remote Oak Park Station on September 27th, 2023.