Mother of Missing Four-Year-Old Flees Adelaide Home Amid Police Investigation
The mother of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont, Jessica Murray, has fled her Adelaide hideaway home following a dramatic shift in the police investigation into her son's disappearance. This development comes after detectives revealed they now believe Gus is dead and have identified a prime suspect within the Murray family.
Police Declare Case a Major Crime with Family Suspect
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke announced on Thursday that police have ruled out the possibility of Gus wandering off or being abducted from Oak Park Station, located 40km south of Yunta in South Australia, where he vanished on September 27. Instead, investigators are treating the case as a major crime, citing numerous inconsistencies and discrepancies in statements provided by family members.
Det Supt Fielke emphasized that neither Jessica Murray nor Gus's father, Joshua Lamont, are considered suspects in the disappearance. However, he confirmed that a person residing at Oak Park Station has withdrawn cooperation with police following questioning about these inconsistencies, though he declined to provide further details about the suspect's identity or location.
Jessica Murray's Movements After Police Revelation
In the wake of the police announcement, Ms Murray left the sheep station homestead near Yunta, which had been her childhood home where she lived with her parents, Shannon and her transgender father, Josie. She had been staying there temporarily after previously separating from Joshua Lamont before Gus's disappearance.
Ms Murray subsequently moved into a family-owned property in Adelaide, but according to neighbours, she packed up and left that residence over the weekend to stay with a friend. "Are you looking for Jess? She's not there. My husband saw her pack up and leave a few days ago. She's gone to stay with a friend," one neighbour confirmed.
Family Dynamics and Investigation Developments
The investigation took a significant turn when police conducted a raid on the Murrays' farmhouse, seizing a vehicle, motorbike, and electronic equipment. This coincided with Joshua Lamont vacating the Adelaide home, where he had been living temporarily after Gus's disappearance, potentially to make way for Ms Murray and their one-year-old son, Ronnie.
A family friend revealed that the couple's relationship broke down shortly after Ronnie's birth, before Gus vanished, and they had never married. "Josh and Jessica weren't together when it happened," the friend stated, adding they hadn't seen Joshua since the disappearance.
Background of the Murray Family
Jessica Murray grew up in Jamestown, a town with a population of approximately 1,400, where the family once owned a home. Public records show she attended Jamestown Community School until at least 2002, where she was described as a clever student and member of a touch football team.
Her biological father, Josie Murray (formerly known as Robert and nicknamed 'Snow'), began her gender transition while the family lived in Jamestown. Since police attended their property on January 14, both Shannon and Josie have been seen going about their daily routines in South Australia's Mid North region.
Legal Representation and Family Response
Following the police press conference, Shannon and Josie Murray immediately retained separate high-profile defence lawyers. Josie hired Adelaide criminal lawyer Andrew Ey, while Shannon engaged Casey Isaacs, also from Adelaide. Both lawyers have extensive experience in criminal cases.
The couple stated they were "devastated" by the police announcement and insisted they continue to cooperate with the investigation, though it is not suggested they have committed any crime. Mr Isaacs confirmed his engagement by Shannon, telling media: "We have been co-operating but we won't be commenting."
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Police have repeatedly searched Oak Park Station since Gus's disappearance, with the investigation now focused on determining whether his death was accidental or deliberate. While Joshua Lamont, Josie, and Shannon Murray have all been seen attempting to resume normal activities, Jessica Murray has not been seen in public since the police revelation.
Locals describe Ms Murray as shy and quietly spoken, noting she was rarely seen in the area even before Gus went missing. The case continues to deeply affect the small communities of South Australia's outback region, with police urging anyone with information to come forward as their investigation progresses.
