Parents of Missing Four-Year-Old Gus Lamont Issue Heartfelt Public Appeal
The parents of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont have described their lives as "shattered" in an emotional public appeal for information, stating that "every moment without him is unbearable." Gus, also known as Angus, disappeared from his family's sheep station in outback South Australia on September 27 last year, sparking an extensive search and a major police investigation.
Case Escalates to Major Crime with Suspect Identified
Initially, South Australian police believed Gus had wandered off from Oak Park station near Yunta, approximately 300km inland from Adelaide. However, after multiple large-scale searches involving drones, divers, dogs, volunteers, police, emergency services, and defence force personnel across the 60,000-hectare property, hope of finding him alive dwindled. By early October, police prepared the family for the possibility he may not have survived.
On February 5, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, the officer in charge of major crime, announced the case was now considered a major crime. Police revealed they had identified a suspect—someone who lived with Gus at the station, but not his parents—due to "inconsistencies and discrepancies" in information provided. The suspect is no longer cooperating with the investigation.
Family's Desperate Plea for Information
In a statement issued through SA police, parents Josh and Jess Lamont released a new photograph and a short video of Gus riding a bike. They expressed unity in grief and search for answers, emphasizing that Gus "means everything to us." The parents pleaded: "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."
They also thanked search participants and supporters for their compassion during this "heartbreaking time," adding, "Your kindness has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives. All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy."
Details of the Disappearance and Investigation
Gus was last seen playing outside at 5pm on September 27. When his grandmother went to call him inside half an hour later, he was gone. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with a yellow Minion on the front, a grey sun hat over his blond curls, light-grey pants, and boots.
Police have seized a vehicle, a motorbike, and electronic devices from the property. Throughout the investigation, they maintained there was no evidence of foul play but ruled nothing out, noting the family's cooperation. On February 16, a 75-year-old was arrested on unrelated firearm offences stemming from a previous search at the station, though police clarified this was not linked to Gus's disappearance.
Detectives from Task Force Horizon returned to the property to search for more evidence but found nothing. The investigation remains ongoing, with Fielke vowing to "continue to thoroughly and meticulously investigate the disappearance of Gus until we get an outcome."
Family and Community Response
Gus's two grandmothers released a joint statement via lawyers, affirming the family has "cooperated fully with the investigation and want nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad." The community has rallied around the Lamonts, with widespread support noted in the parents' appeal.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
