The investigation into the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont has seen a significant development with the arrest and charging of a 75-year-old individual. Police are conducting an extensive search at Oak Park Station, the remote property where Gus was last seen, seeking further evidence. The charges laid against the individual are for firearm offences and are not directly related to Gus's disappearance, according to authorities. This latest action underscores the seriousness with which the case is being treated, following its declaration as a major crime.
Timeline of Events and Key Actions
Gus Lamont, a four-year-old boy, went missing from his home at Oak Park Station, near Yunta in South Australia, on September 27, 2025. Initially, authorities believed he may have wandered off.
September 27, 2025: Gus last seen playing outside his home at Oak Park Station around 5:00 PM.
September 29, 2025: Horse and water operations police join the initial search efforts.
January 14-15, 2026: Police seize a vehicle, a motorcycle, and electronic devices during a search at Oak Park Station.
February 2, 2026: Investigators conduct searches around the property, reportedly for Gus's remains.
February 5, 2026: Police declare Gus's disappearance a major crime, suggesting he is no longer alive. A suspect living at Oak Park Station, not one of Gus's parents, is identified. Police also state Gus's parents are not suspects.
February 6, 2026: Gus's grandparents, Shannon and Josie Murray, retain separate lawyers. Police indicate they have stopped assisting with inquiries.
February 16, 2026 (Recent): Police return to Oak Park Station for a two-day search operation, focused on gathering evidence. A 75-year-old individual is arrested and charged with firearm offences at the property.
Focus on Oak Park Station
Oak Park Station, a large property situated approximately 250km north of Adelaide, has been the central focus of the investigation. Searches have encompassed various areas around the homestead. The renewed police presence on February 16, 2026, marks a continued effort to uncover clues related to Gus's disappearance.
Read More: Reddit User Removes Epstein Document Tool After Threats
Identification of a Suspect
Police revealed on February 5, 2026, that they had identified a suspect in connection with Gus's disappearance. This individual is reported to be someone who lives at Oak Park Station. Importantly, authorities have explicitly stated that Gus's parents are not considered suspects. The family members who reside at the station have since retained legal counsel.
Charges Laid and Investigation Scope
On February 16, 2026, a 75-year-old individual was arrested at Oak Park Station and subsequently charged with firearm offences. Police have clarified that these charges are distinct from the investigation into Gus Lamont's disappearance. The individual has been bailed to appear in Peterborough Magistrates Court on May 6. The ongoing search at Oak Park Station is reportedly aimed at collecting further evidence.
Expert Analysis and Official Statements
"Members attached to Task Force Horizon conducting inquiries at Oak Park Station in connection with the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont on 27 September have concluded searching for evidence today." - Police Spokesperson
Acting Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae stated that the firearm offence charges are not related to the disappearance.
Read More: Smallest Possum May Live on Yorke Peninsula, New Study Says
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke confirmed authorities are treating Gus's disappearance as a suspected criminal matter, with no expectation he is alive.
Unanswered Questions
The disappearance of Gus Lamont from a remote station remains a perplexing case. While police have identified a suspect residing at the property and brought charges for unrelated offences, the whereabouts of Gus and the specific circumstances surrounding his vanishing are still undetermined. The current evidence points to a complex situation involving multiple facets of investigation, from a missing child case to separate criminal charges.
Sources
The Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/major-police-update-gus-lamont-36727169
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/16/gus-lamont-update-south-australia-police-search-home-ntwnfb
SBS News: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/gus-lamonts-grandparents-devastated-major-crime-declared-what-we-know-so-far/aslwtmox5
ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-16/police-return-to-oak-park-station-in-gus-lamont-investigation/106348336
New Idea: https://www.newidea.com.au/crime/gus-lamont-investigation-update/
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15562865/gus-lamont-search.html
Read More: Police Look at DNA from Gloves in Search for Missing 84-Year-Old Nancy Guthrie
