The heartbroken parents of four-year-old Gus Lamont have issued a fresh public plea for information, months after their son vanished in South Australia’s Mid North, saying their lives have been “shattered” by his disappearance.
In a statement released through SA Police, Gus’s parents, Josh and Jess, said they remain united in their grief and desperate search for answers.
“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. Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable,” they said. “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.”
Alongside the appeal, the parents released a new photograph and video of Gus, showing him wearing an oversized hat while riding a balance bike along a gravel track, a poignant reminder of the little boy at the centre of the mystery.
Gus was reported missing on September 27 last year, sparking an extensive search. In their statement, his parents expressed deep gratitude to those who have worked tirelessly to find him.
“We also want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the search for Gus,” they said.
“The tireless efforts of police, emergency services, ADF personnel, volunteers, and specialists have meant more to us than we can ever say.”
They also thanked friends, family and supporters who have rallied around them. “Your kindness has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives,” the statement said. “All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy.”
Police confirmed that Task Force Horizon, established in October, will continue investigating. Gus’s disappearance was formally declared a major crime on February 5.
At that time, Major Crime officer-in-charge Darren Fielke revealed investigators had identified a suspect – a person living at Oak Park Station, where Gus was also residing.
“A person who resides at Oak Park Station has withdrawn their support for police and is no longer cooperating with us,” Detective Superintendent Fielke said. “The person who has withdrawn their cooperation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus. I do want to stress, however, that Gus’s parents are not suspects.”
Following the major crime declaration, Gus’s grandparents, Josie and Shannon Murray, released a joint statement saying they were “absolutely devastated” and reaffirmed the family’s full cooperation with investigators.
Last week, police said they would return to Oak Park Station frequently as part of ongoing efforts to find Gus. During a search of the property, 75-year-old Josie Murray was arrested and charged with unrelated firearms offences. A court date for those matters has been set for May.
Image: SA Police
