Australia AUSTRALIA - 4YO AUGUST (GUS) Missing from rural family home in Outback, Yunta, South Australia, 27th Sept 2025

[katydid23]

Is it known which direction his mum and grandma travelled the 10km's? If they were anywhere in a north, north east direction from the homestead, you'd think they'd have to notice a vehicle entering and or leaving.

If they were literally 10km from the road though, and presumably occupied with what they were doing, would they notice? Would Shannon necessarily see a vehicle and resultant dust, if she was busy with the 1 year old? Particularly if it stopped at the last gate and the occupant intended to walk the 320 metres to the homestead?

The total lack of any evidence after 5 weeks and the smallish window before dark on the first day, make wandering a large distance extremely unlikely IMO. If they've missed him, he has likely come to grief in the vicinity of the homestead. It would have to be in a sealed location though, to explain no human or animal detecting any smell. What options are there, where he could enter and get stuck? An old fridge or a water tank are all I can think of, but surely they have triple-checked those type of options?

I have also wondered about car trunks...I've seen that end badly.

.... or old freezers or fridges. I am hoping they'd all have doors taken off to prevent a child from climbing inside.

 

[katydid23]

Police say there is no evidence anyone has harmed Gus.

“There is no evidence of foul play at this time but, as I’ve said publicly before, we are still open to any possibilities that might have resulted in Gus having gone missing,” Stevens said.




Hmmmm....This^^^ is worded in an interesting fashion. For the 1st time I'm getting the feeling that they are still wondering about if something bad happened close to home....

 

[sunspun]

Wait, did Shannon take the one yr old out with her to tend the sheep? I never saw that mentioned anywhere. Is that true?

You mean Jess? Shannon is the grandmother who stayed at the house watching Gus and I believe the baby too, but I guess I haven't actually heard where the baby was all day. Can't imagine Jess would have taken the baby with her when she left the house to go do whatever work she did with Josie that day.

 

[Lemony]

Here's the video of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens speaking

47K views · 361 reactions | Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says taskforce detectives are not giving up on finding missing boy Gus Lamont, vowing to return to the outback South Australia property for further searches to bring closure to his devasta

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says taskforce detectives are not giving up on finding missing boy Gus Lamont, vowing to return to the outback South Australia property for further searches to bring...

www.facebook.com

 

[essareem]

‘We’re still committed’: Police vow to find missing Gus Lamont

The four-year-old has been missing since September 27.

7news.com.au

Gus Lamont: SA Police return to remote Yunta property for fourth time in search for missing boy​

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on Wednesday reaffirmed the force’s commitment to finding Gus.

“We will be going back to the property to conduct further searches based on further analysis of data and further advice,” he said.

“We are continuing to go back because we are still committed to recovering Gus, for the family and so everybody has some sense of closure in relation to exactly what’s occurred up at Yunta.”

Police say there is no evidence anyone has harmed Gus.

“There is no evidence of foul play at this time but, as I’ve said publicly before, we are still open to any possibilities that might have resulted in Gus having gone missing,” Stevens said.

Does anyone know if the police returning four times to conduct further searches is unusual?

I am trying to think of a comparable case, such as William Tyrrell. Didn't police return to a search about three times over the years? I mean it was over a much longer period.

I'm very curious as to what new circumstances or information arises each time that brings them back.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

While I have not been a prolific contributor on this case thread, I have been engaged.

Perhaps its time for a synopsis of theories on the table, launching off of @Hercule Holmes' fine post ^.

And I have a new theory to add at the end, that I don't think I've seen here before.

This is in NO particular order... and NONE of these theories have public facts to support them, so they are just best guesses.

1. Gus wandered far from the homestead and his remains are on the property somewhere (deceased).

2. Gus is stuck and trapped somewhere on or very near the homestead, possibly inside or outside of his house (deceased).

3. Gus was abducted with malintent by a visitor, passerby, burglar, or someone who targeted the young lad (deceased or alive).

4. Gus ran away from the homestead, got lost or held firm to his hiding position, succumbing to elements / animals (deceased).

5. Gus was accidentally hit by a vehicle or had a fatal accident on the property or homestead and it was covered up (deceased).

And my theory, FWIW, perhaps with wishful thinking at this point...

6. Gus was taken into hiding by a family friend or member to protect him from something, real or imagined (alive).

Please feel free to add to this list, digest this list, or ignore this list.

IMO.

My money is on #2

 

[Ellery84]

My money is on #2

There's another option here, but it's not victim friendly, so best not to mention it.

I am leaning toward 3 or 5.

Imo

 

[Andreee]

My money is on #2

There's another option here, but it's not victim friendly, so best not to mention it.

I say 1 or 2

 

[drsleuth]

Does anyone know if the police returning four times to conduct further searches is unusual?

I am trying to think of a comparable case, such as William Tyrrell. Didn't police return to a search about three times over the years? I mean it was over a much longer period.

I'm very curious as to what new circumstances or information arises each time that brings them back.

I don't think you can compare other cases. This is unique & the area is very large, with no bypass traffic etc.

 

[drsleuth]

https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/sa-police-commissioner-grant-stevens-says-fourth-search-for-gus-lamont-possible/news-story/c34b7ebe12cb03f53961e56890e7b3d7

Mr Stevens also revealed the police had conducted two reviews of the mammoth search effort, which has involved hundreds of officers and volunteers, a skilled tracker and members of the Australian Defence Force under Task Force Horizon.

“We’ve done a minimum of two reviews in relation to the searching exercise from the moment we were advised that Gus had gone missing,” he said.

“Peer-reviews by experts who have taken an objective view of whether or not things could have gone differently.

“Those reviews have identified opportunities to enhance what we’ve done but there’s been no criticism of the search effort.”

 

[Ellery84]

Peer-reviews by experts who have taken an objective view of whether or not things could have gone differently.

“Those reviews have identified opportunities to enhance what we’ve done but there’s been no criticism of the search effort.”

They could enhance what they've done by going and getting witness statements and walk throughs from the people last to see Gus.

Or maybe just employing basic police skills like checking dad Josh's alibi, for example.

Like I get that we are pro Gus' family, we all believe them, SAPOL believes them, but it doesn't hurt to check an alibi or get a witness statement.

And unlike funding army support or the large cost involved in draining a dam, taking a witness statement or checking an alibi is, essentially, free, so why don't they just do it?

Imo

 

[drsleuth]

They could enhance what they've done by going and getting witness statements and walk throughs from the people last to see Gus.

Or maybe just employing basic police skills like checking dad Josh's alibi, for example.

Like I get that we are pro Gus' family, but it doesn't hurt to check an alibi or get a witness statement.

And unlike funding army support or the large cost involved in draining a dam, taking a witness statement or checking an alibi is, essentially, free, so why don't they just do it?

Imo

And how do you know they haven't??? Your making some huge assumptions here .

I'd say that's all been done IMO

 

[rvlvr]

They could enhance what they've done by going and getting witness statements and walk throughs from the people last to see Gus.

Or maybe just employing basic police skills like checking dad Josh's alibi, for example.

Like I get that we are pro Gus' family, we all believe them, SAPOL believes them, but it doesn't hurt to check an alibi or get a witness statement.

And unlike funding army support or the large cost involved in draining a dam, taking a witness statement or checking an alibi is, essentially, free, so why don't they just do it?

Imo

How do you know they’ve not done any of this stuff?

 

[Bats]

Or maybe just employing basic police skills like checking dad Josh's alibi, for example.

Like I get that we are pro Gus' family, we all believe them, SAPOL believes them, but it doesn't hurt to check an alibi or get a witness statement.

Those very basic police skills would be employed very early on. Probably on day 1. Alibis, witness statements etc.. all jobs for day 1.

 

[packetgravy]

Sorry, I’m only just catching up, it seems quite a lot has unfolded over the past few days. My apologies if I’ve missed anything important.

I’ve taken some time to reflect on the altercation between the reporter and Josie. It’s interesting to see such a strong divide between those who raise suspicions and those expressing support for her.

In my view, it’s possible to have empathy for the family while still acknowledging the concerning nature of Josie’s aggression. From what little public information we have, such an intense display of raw emotion inevitably becomes a piece of the broader puzzle.

I think most of us can agree that the DM is problematic and the situation could have been handled far better (or avoided entirely.) The family absolutely deserves privacy and Josie’s behaviour does reflect someone in a state of deep grief.

However, I can’t ignore the absence of the “snake” that was cited as the reason for the gun. When exactly was the snake destroyed - before or after the confrontation with the reporter? If there truly was an immediate threat, Josie’s instinctive response appears to have been “fight.”

This becomes interesting when we consider the reporter, who was standing at a distance. Josie’s focus shifted entirely toward her and still in “fight mode,” she became verbally aggressive. If the snake was no longer a concern, it suggests Josie perceived the reporter as the greater threat.

Of course, this could simply be the reaction of a grieving woman who has had enough of media intrusion.

However, several points continue to trouble me:

• There is still a missing child.

• Trackers found no evidence of the child.

• No clothing found (hat?)

• The original timeline remains questionable.

• There is no proof of a snake.



The absence of evidence doesn’t mean evidence does not exist.

I look at the incident above as part of the broader picture as opposed to an isolated incident. If there was no snake, then the explanation for the gun becomes a fabrication. And if that’s the case, it raises a much bigger question: what else in this case might have been fabricated?

IMO

 

[BreakingNews]

Does anyone know if the police returning four times to conduct further searches is unusual?

I am trying to think of a comparable case, such as William Tyrrell. Didn't police return to a search about three times over the years? I mean it was over a much longer period.

I'm very curious as to what new circumstances or information arises each time that brings them back.

Technology and intel. That is why police return. I think that is why Gus missing can't be compared to other missing children. MOO

 

[rvlvr]

Sorry, I’m only just catching up, it seems quite a lot has unfolded over the past few days. My apologies if I’ve missed anything important.

I’ve taken some time to reflect on the altercation between the reporter and Josie. It’s interesting to see such a strong divide between those who raise suspicions and those expressing support for her.

In my view, it’s possible to have empathy for the family while still acknowledging the concerning nature of Josie’s aggression. From what little public information we have, such an intense display of raw emotion inevitably becomes a piece of the broader puzzle.

I think most of us can agree that the DM is problematic and the situation could have been handled far better (or avoided entirely.) The family absolutely deserves privacy and Josie’s behaviour does reflect someone in a state of deep grief.

However, I can’t ignore the absence of the “snake” that was cited as the reason for the gun. When exactly was the snake destroyed - before or after the confrontation with the reporter? If there truly was an immediate threat, Josie’s instinctive response appears to have been “fight.”

This becomes interesting when we consider the reporter, who was standing at a distance. Josie’s focus shifted entirely toward her and still in “fight mode,” she became verbally aggressive. If the snake was no longer a concern, it suggests Josie perceived the reporter as the greater threat.

Of course, this could simply be the reaction of a grieving woman who has had enough of media intrusion.

However, several points continue to trouble me:

• There is still a missing child.

• Trackers found no evidence of the child.

• No clothing found (hat?)

• The original timeline remains questionable.

• There is no proof of a snake.



The absence of evidence doesn’t mean evidence does not exist.

I look at the incident above as part of the broader picture as opposed to an isolated incident. If there was no snake, then the explanation for the gun becomes a fabrication. And if that’s the case, it raises a much bigger question: what else in this case might have been fabricated?

IMO

Why would you expect to have been shown ‘proof’ of the snake? It’s none of your/our business.

 

[Dotta]

Police say there is no evidence anyone has harmed Gus.

“There is no evidence of foul play at this time but, as I’ve said publicly before, we are still open to any possibilities that might have resulted in Gus having gone missing,” Stevens said.




Hmmmm....This^^^ is worded in an interesting fashion. For the 1st time I'm getting the feeling that they are still wondering about if something bad happened close to home....

IMO
This is typical, vague and non-committal LE's language/way of speaking.
All doors are still open.
Doors leading to various theories I mean.

JMO

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1985977114840219748

 

[Dotta]

"Monday marked five weeks since Gus vanished.

The search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont, who vanished from his family's home five weeks ago, could soon resume,
police say."

Bombshell update in the hunt for missing toddler Gus Lamont

The search for missing four-year-old Gus Lamont who vanished from his family's home five weeks ago is set to resume, cops say.

www.dailymail.co.uk

" 'We are still committed to recovering Gus'.

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on Wednesday reaffirmed the force’s commitment to finding Gus.

'We will be going back to the property to conduct further searches
based on further analysis of data and further advice'."

‘We’re still committed’: Police vow to find missing Gus Lamont

The four-year-old has been missing since September 27.

7news.com.au