Gus Lamont disappearance: Police declare ‘major crime’ in case of missing 4-year-old

Gus has been missing since September last year. Photo / SA Police

Police are now investigating the disappearance of 4-year-old Gus Lamont from his family’s property in remote South Australia as a “major crime”.

The little boy was last seen playing outside his family’s homestead on Oak Park Station in the state’s Mid North on September 27.

Several large-scale search efforts have been launched since the boy’s disappearance.

Speaking this afternoon, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the little boy’s disappearance had been declared a major crime.

“Every police officer and civilian involved in the search for Gus has had the sole focus of locating Gus and returning him to his parents,” he said.

“Sadly, to date, our efforts to locate Gus have not been successful.”

Detectives are currently investigating three possible options regarding his disappearance.

“The search for Gus was based on him walking off from Oak Park Station and becoming lost,” Superintendent Fielke said.

“This is one of three investigation options that have been explored by the members attached to Task Force Horizon.

“The other two investigation options are focused on Gus being abducted from Oak Park Station, or whether someone known to him was involved in his disappearance and suspected death.”

Speaking to reporters on January 6, Fielke confirmed they had spoken to Gus’ family and “nothing was off the table” as they continued the desperate search.

“They went through a pretty torrid Christmas without Gus, and we check in with the family regularly,” he said.

He explained the investigation was complex.

“It’s a 4-year-old boy in a remote area. We’re exploring all avenues to do with locating Gus – nothing is off the table,” he said.

Previous searches of the area – which is about 43km south of Yunta in the state’s Mid North – included six unsealed, unfenced mine shafts in November and a dam on the remote sheep station in October.

Neither search resulted in any trace of the little boy.

Large-scale searches in the gruelling terrain have involved police officers, SES volunteers, the army, a tracker and members of the public.

A single footprint was discovered about 500m from where Gus vanished, though police dismissed it as being from the boy.

– More to come

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