South Australia police have identified a suspect in the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont, who vanished from his family's remote sheep station more than four months ago. The case has been declared a major crime, with Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke of the Major Crime Investigation Branch confirming on Thursday that a person residing at Oak Park station is now considered a suspect.
Gus was last seen playing outside the family home at Oak Park station, near Yunta, about 300km inland from Adelaide, on 27 September. He was wearing a blue T-shirt with a yellow Minion, a grey sunhat, light-grey long pants and boots. His grandmother called him in half an hour later, but he was gone.
Police have ruled out both Gus wandering off and abduction by a stranger after an extensive search involving mounted police, divers, defence personnel, drones, and aircraft with thermal imaging and AI software. The search covered 95 sq km on the ground and 706 sq km by air, finding no evidence of either scenario.
Det Supt Fielke stated that inconsistencies in information from family members led to the suspect withdrawing cooperation. He stressed that Gus's parents are not suspects. Police executed a search warrant on 14-15 January, seizing a vehicle, a motorbike, and electronic devices.
“The community should take comfort that no stone is being left unturned,” Fielke said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
