Gus Lamont’s family appeals for information as their lives are torn apart by his disappearance
The parents of four-year-old Gus Lamont, who vanished in the Mid North region of South Australia last September, have issued a fresh appeal for anyone with information to come forward. The message, distributed through SA Police, sends a clear plea from Gus’s parents, Josh and Jess: they are grieving publicly and seeking answers.
"Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable," the couple wrote. "We know someone out there may have information. If you know what happened, we beg that you or anyone who may have seen or heard anything please come forward. Even the smallest detail could bring us the answers we desperately need."
Along with the statement, Gus’s parents released a new photograph and a video showing him wearing a large hat while riding a balance bike along a gravel track.
In their message, the family extended heartfelt thanks to the police, emergency services, and others who have assisted since Gus was first reported missing on September 27.
"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 express."
Josh and Jess also thanked their friends, family, and supporters. "Your kindness has carried us through the darkest days of our lives. All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy."
Police confirmed that Task Force Horizon, created in October to investigate Gus’s disappearance, will continue its work.
Gus’s case was escalated to a major crime inquiry on February 5. Major Crime investigators have previously indicated they had a person of interest linked to Oak Park Station, where Gus also lived.
At that time, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke noted that a resident of Oak Park Station had withdrawn cooperation with investigators and is now considered a suspect in Gus’s disappearance. He stressed that Gus’s parents are not suspects.
Gus’s grandparents, Josie and Shannon Murray, issued a joint statement expressing their devastation after the case was upgraded to a major crime. They said the family has cooperated fully with the investigation and remains focused on finding Gus and reuniting him with his parents.
Police plan ongoing searches of Oak Park Station, with officers indicating they would return there frequently in the coming days as part of their effort to locate Gus.
In related developments last week, authorities arrested 75-year-old Josie Murray on firearms-related charges following a search at Oak Park Station. A court date for these charges has been scheduled for May.
