The parents of Gus Lamont, a four-year-old boy who disappeared in September last year, have made a public appeal for any information that could help locate their son. The family released a statement, new photos, and video footage, describing their profound distress and the ongoing difficulty of not knowing Gus's whereabouts. This plea comes as the investigation into his disappearance has been declared a major crime, with police recently identifying a suspect linked to the property where Gus was last seen.
The disappearance of Gus Lamont, who was four years old, occurred on September 27 last year at Oak Park Station, a remote property in South Australia's Mid North. Initially, the situation was treated as a missing person case, prompting an extensive search operation involving police, emergency services, volunteers, and Indigenous trackers. Despite these considerable efforts, no definitive trace of Gus has been found.
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In early February 2026, the South Australian Police formally declared the case a major crime. This shift in classification followed the identification of a suspect connected to the Oak Park Station property. The police have been exploring various theories, including the possibility of abduction by an unknown individual, and have confirmed that Gus's parents are not considered suspects.
New Plea from Parents:Gus Lamont's parents have broken their silence with an emotional appeal.
They expressed that "our lives have been shattered" and "every moment without him is unbearable."
They urged the public to share "even the smallest detail" that might provide answers.
New photographic and video material of Gus has been released in the hope of jogging memories.
The family extended their gratitude to the police, emergency services, ADF personnel, volunteers, specialists, and friends who have participated in the search.
Timeline of Events:
September 27, last year: Gus Lamont disappears from Oak Park Station.
September 30, last year: Gus's family releases an initial statement thanking searchers and requesting privacy.
February 2, 2026: Investigators conduct searches of several locations around the property, reportedly looking for Gus's remains.
Early February 2026: Police confirm they have identified a suspect residing at Oak Park Station.
February 6, 2026: Gus's disappearance is formally declared a major crime investigation.
Recent (February 2026): Parents release a new statement, photos, and video appealing for public assistance.
Extensive Search Efforts
A substantial search operation was mounted following Gus's disappearance, utilizing diverse resources to cover the vast outback area surrounding Oak Park Station.
Involvement: The search included South Australian Police, State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers, Indigenous trackers, drones, and helicopters.
Scope: Operations covered the extensive region around the family's station, a property spanning approximately 60,000 hectares.
Results: Despite the intensity and breadth of the search, no significant clues or evidence pointing to Gus's location have been discovered.
Shift to Major Crime Investigation
The declaration of Gus Lamont's disappearance as a major crime signifies a significant development in the investigation.
Suspect Identified: Police have stated they have identified a suspect who lived at Oak Park Station. This individual's specific connection to Gus and the disappearance is under investigation.
Theories Explored: Investigators have considered multiple scenarios, including the possibility that Gus was abducted by someone he did not know.
Family Status: It has been explicitly stated by police that Gus's parents are not suspects in his disappearance.
Parental Distress and Public Appeal
The emotional toll on Gus Lamont's parents is evident in their recent public statements.
They described their grief as profound, stating their lives have been "shattered."
The appeal for information highlights their desperation for answers and the agonizing nature of the prolonged uncertainty.
The release of new media, including video footage of Gus on his family's station, is a strategic effort to engage the public's memory and solicit any potential leads.
The investigation is ongoing, with police continuing to seek information from the public. The focus remains on locating Gus and understanding the circumstances of his disappearance.
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7news.com.au: Provides an account of the parents' emotional plea, detailing the new media released and the confirmation of a suspect by police. (https://7news.com.au/news/our-lives-have-been-shattered-gus-lamonts-parents-break-silence-with-emotional-plea-c-21739277)
abc.net.au: Reports on the parents' statement and the release of a new image, noting Gus went missing in September last year. (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-24/gus-lamont-parents-release-statement-and-video/106382060)
indailysa.com.au: Details the parents' statement, the release of photo and video, and mentions the recent search ending without evidence. (https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2026/02/24/unbearable-guss-parents-break-their-silence)
sbs.com.au: Offers a timeline of the disappearance and the major crime investigation, noting police had identified a suspect living at Oak Park Station. (https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/gus-lamonts-grandparents-devastated-major-crime-declared-what-we-know-so-far/aslwtmox5)
theguardian.com: Discusses the declaration of the disappearance as a major crime and the police's belief that someone in the family might be involved, while also noting the parents are not suspects. (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/06/gus-lamonts-south-australia-devastated-grandmothers-hire-lawyers-after-police-declare-disappearance-a-major-ntwnfb)
dailymail.co.uk: Mentions an urgent plea from the family after Gus vanished, noting the neighbor's request for strangers to stop visiting the property. (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15172029/Yunta-missing-Gus-Lamont.html)
