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

[Ellery84]

I think most of us can agree that the DM is problematic and the situation could have been handled far better (or avoided entirely.)

How?

 

[SouthAussie]

Here's the video of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens speaking

26K views · 228 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...

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He's a good speaker. He gives you NOTHING.
Just that 'people' are giving them guidance on where to look. I wonder who the people are?

His words give people some comfort, though, in knowing that investigators are still on it. Not that I thought they wouldn't be still on it.

imo

 

[packetgravy]

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

I don’t expect evidence of the snake.
As I said - absence of evidence does not mean evidence does not exist.

 

[Hexe]

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?

There is a high possibility that it managed to sneak away when Josie got distracted by the trespassing journo. As far as I know Josie is not an official suspect so we should leave her alone.

 

[sunspun]

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

Especially when you consider that the reporter says that when she made her statement about the incident to the police, Deputy Police Commissioner Linda Williams said "It's going to be very hard to prove that she wasn't out there removing a snake for example..." which sounded to me like the policewoman conveniently supplying Josie with a reason for having her gun out.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7567337699389082887

 

[FromGermany1]

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.

When I'm reading your point #7, my first thought is: Why saving/protecting little Gus and leaving little Ronnie behind? Wouldn't he have the same fate (whatever it is) in the near future, and wouldn't he have to be protected also?

Moreover I don't know, what to think re #1 til #6. The video of Josie, "chasing a snake" (perforating her own veranda??), was helping to form half of an opinion, but I have to know more about the family and their ordinary life.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

There has been no factual reporting regarding people other than Gus' two grandmothers, mother, and baby brother being on the property that evening, right? We don't know if and how many others were there, or do we? Thanks.

 

[Warshawski]

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.”

I find it ‘interesting’, for want of a more apt word, that SAPOL feel it important to tell us the in-depth details associated with their mammoth search efforts - as if we don’t know about these searches ! !

There are a whole lot of things however that I would be very interested to hear about e.g.

When was Gus last seen by an independent witness / or spoke with someone other than his mother or grandmothers / or spoke with his father ?

When did Josie & Jess leave the homestead that Saturday / when was the last time each of them saw Gus ?

What did Gus do all day, from when he woke up at ?? am, until he couldn’t be found at 5.30pm ?

Did he dress himself ?

Where on the property were both Josie & Jess working over the course of that day ?
What specifically were they doing ?
How were they travelling ?
Did they have dogs with them ?
Were they together at all times ?

Did Gus regularly play in that dirt pile ?
Was he happiest playing indoors or outdoors ?
When did he go out to play that day ? What toys was he playing with ?
What was his favourite toy ? his favourite game ? What was his favourite thing to do ? Did he like the sheep / dogs / motorbikes / his baby brother / did he have a pet ?
Who in the household was he closest to ?

Was he reprimanded for something when Shannon checked on him at 5pm ?
Was he told then it was almost time to come inside ?

What time did Jess & Josie arrive home (from tending the sheep) that day ?

Was it before or after 5.30 pm ?

How was the search for Gus conducted from when Shannon couldn’t find him at 5,30 pm ?

Who searched where ? How thoroughly ? Photos show a multitude of buildings & structures around the homestead, let alone what could be in machinery sheds etc.

Did they try to contact his father before calling Police ?

Were there any visitors to the property that day ? or that week ?

Were there regular ‘visitors’ i.e. mail delivery, fuel delivery etc ? Have these people been accounted for and interviewed ?

Was anything planned for the next day (Sunday) ? Did they normally go to Church / have guests over / go out for lunch or a drive etc ?

Did Jess ever take the children to visit their father ? Was it a regular scheduled visit ?

When was the shearing done ?
How many extras were on the property for this event ( shearers, shed hands, cook, musters, transport etc )
Were they accommodated on the property ? If so, where ?
When did each of them ‘finish’ and leave the property ?
Have they all been interviewed & given a statement ?

Have all neighbours been interviewed ?

Etc….. and JMO.

also imo it feels disrespectful to the basic intelligence of a caring & concerned ‘population’ to ignore the fundamental questions that are on everyone’s lips, yet continue to take up media space, and tax payer $, with ad nauseam reports of their futile searches.

for you little man, whatever the cause of your disappearance.

 

[jepop]

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

Moo, Specialist Crime detectives have been involved in the case since the early days, IIRC from around 1st Oct (many reports posted previously on this thread). Imo unless one thinks the Police have been lying in their updates or that specialist crime detectives have for some reason not done their basic due diligence, then as you say, these basic steps have been covered. Jmo

More generally, I'm not sure why the public should feel entitled to the details of that process. To what purpose when at present the result remains unchanged- no evidence of foul play. Moo

 

[katydid23]

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

Maybe so---but sometimes they say they have taken some possibilities off the table. I.E> 'The ex-husband has been cleared', or 'the family has been cleared of any involvement. '

But they said = "...we are still open to any possibilities that might have resulted in Gus having gone missing,” Stevens said.

It is vague and noncommittal but it does not say anyone has been cleared yet. And that is more interesting considering they are back for the fourth time to search the immediate area again.

 

[KBlackRabbit]

If the police thought Josie acted outrageously with her gun they would have cited or charged her according to Australian law.

This “reporter” with no journalistic ethics that trespasses after being told to stay away and harasses a family that hasn’t been proven to harm their child continues to take a story about a missing boy and make it all about her. “ME! ME! ME! POOR ME!” I’m done with her. This Johnny Somali* of tabloid reporters can go for a long walk.

*American social media pest that travels to foreign countries and harasses the locals for clicks. Currently facing criminal charges in South Korea.

Moo, Specialist Crime detectives have been involved in the case since the early days, IIRC from around 1st Oct (many reports posted previously on this thread). Imo unless one thinks the Police have been lying in their updates or that specialist crime detectives have for some reason not done their basic due diligence, then as you say, these basic steps have been covered. Jmo

More generally, I'm not sure why the public should feel entitled to the details of that process. To what purpose when at present the result remains unchanged- no evidence of foul play. Moo

Agree. The response from the police and searchers has been extensive. It’s a difficult expanse of land and the multiple buildings have numerous small spaces where a child could hide and get stuck, though I’d think enough of the people working this case have a good understanding of sheep stations and what is required to do a thorough search of it. I think it’s highly unlikely the dirt pile hasn’t been checked.

 

[RedHaus]

When I'm reading your point #7, my first thought is: Why saving/protecting little Gus and leaving little Ronnie behind? Wouldn't he have the same fate (whatever it is) in the near future, and wouldn't he have to be protected also?

RS&BBM
[6. Gus was taken into hiding by a family friend or member to protect him from something, real or imagined (alive).] from my post.
--------------------------------------------
Presuming you're referring to #6 on my list of theories discussed here, with #6 being new to the thread, I believe, I too pondered this question at great length. After a few weeks of consideration, my mind decided that despite what appears to be an illogical approach to "saving" one child while leaving the other behind, this hypothetical scenario could still be plausible.

That is, especially, if whatever the perceived threat (real or imagined by the "savior") applied to a toddler and not an infant. And if the only opportunity with the attempt to "save" was to take Gus, perhaps the plan was to "save" the infant at a later date.

Completely hypothetical. But I think its still a possibility akin to other theories on the table. Because we really know NOTHING.

IMO.

 

[katydid23]

I find it ‘interesting’, for want of a more apt word, that SAPOL feel it important to tell us the in-depth details associated with their mammoth search efforts - as if we don’t know about these searches ! !

There are a whole lot of things however that I would be very interested to hear about e.g.

When was Gus last seen by an independent witness / or spoke with someone other than his mother or grandmothers / or spoke with his father ?

When did Josie & Jess leave the homestead that Saturday / when was the last time each of them saw Gus ?

What did Gus do all day, from when he woke up at ?? am, until he couldn’t be found at 5.30pm ?

Did he dress himself ?

Where on the property were both Josie & Jess working over the course of that day ?
What specifically were they doing ?
How were they travelling ?
Did they have dogs with them ?
Were they together at all times ?

Did Gus regularly play in that dirt pile ?
Was he happiest playing indoors or outdoors ?
When did he go out to play that day ? What toys was he playing with ?
What was his favourite toy ? his favourite game ? What was his favourite thing to do ? Did he like the sheep / dogs / motorbikes / his baby brother / did he have a pet ?
Who in the household was he closest to ?

Was he reprimanded for something when Shannon checked on him at 5pm ?
Was he told then it was almost time to come inside ?

What time did Jess & Josie arrive home (from tending the sheep) that day ?

Was it before or after 5.30 pm ?

How was the search for Gus conducted from when Shannon couldn’t find him at 5,30 pm ?

Who searched where ? How thoroughly ? Photos show a multitude of buildings & structures around the homestead, let alone what could be in machinery sheds etc.

Did they try to contact his father before calling Police ?

Were there any visitors to the property that day ? or that week ?

Were there regular ‘visitors’ i.e. mail delivery, fuel delivery etc ? Have these people been accounted for and interviewed ?

Was anything planned for the next day (Sunday) ? Did they normally go to Church / have guests over / go out for lunch or a drive etc ?

Did Jess ever take the children to visit their father ? Was it a regular scheduled visit ?

When was the shearing done ?
How many extras were on the property for this event ( shearers, shed hands, cook, musters, transport etc )
Were they accommodated on the property ? If so, where ?
When did each of them ‘finish’ and leave the property ?
Have they all been interviewed & given a statement ?

Have all neighbours been interviewed ?

Etc….. and JMO.

also imo it feels disrespectful to the basic intelligence of a caring & concerned ‘population’ to ignore the fundamental questions that are on everyone’s lips, yet continue to take up media space, and tax payer $, with ad nauseam reports of their futile searches.

for you little man, whatever the cause of your disappearance.

Very good questions.

Also, I am curious about what Shannon was doing from 5 to 5:30, while a little 4 yr old was alone in the yard? Did she have chances to peek out a window to check on him, for a time or 2, or was she completely away all that time?

 

[sunspun]

Very good questions.

Also, I am curious about what Shannon was doing from 5 to 5:30, while a little 4 yr old was alone in the yard? Did she have chances to peek out a window to check on him, for a time or 2, or was she completely away all that time?

I think she said she was getting dinner ready in the house.

 

[sunspun]

But we don't know when Jess and Josie returned to the house that day. Was it right at 5:30, ready for dinner, only to be told can't find Gus? Or had they been home for hours?? It's possible. Maybe they worked all morning and got it all done by noon, who knows. AFAIK, no one has said. Or they may not have even been back by the time that Shannon noticed Gus missing at 5:30. So she may have been looking for him all by herself at first, we don't know.

If they got back around dinner time, did they see Gus outside in the sandpit when they went inside? Or if they had been back for part of the day, did they see him then? I never thought about all that. So that's just a bunch more things we do not know!

 

[FromGermany1]

I find it ‘interesting’, for want of a more apt word, that SAPOL feel it important to tell us the in-depth details associated with their mammoth search efforts - as if we don’t know about these searches ! !

There are a whole lot of things however that I would be very interested to hear about e.g.

When was Gus last seen by an independent witness / or spoke with someone other than his mother or grandmothers / or spoke with his father ?

When did Josie & Jess leave the homestead that Saturday / when was the last time each of them saw Gus ?

What did Gus do all day, from when he woke up at ?? am, until he couldn’t be found at 5.30pm ?

Did he dress himself ?

Where on the property were both Josie & Jess working over the course of that day ?
What specifically were they doing ?
How were they travelling ?
Did they have dogs with them ?
Were they together at all times ?

Did Gus regularly play in that dirt pile ?
Was he happiest playing indoors or outdoors ?
When did he go out to play that day ? What toys was he playing with ?
What was his favourite toy ? his favourite game ? What was his favourite thing to do ? Did he like the sheep / dogs / motorbikes / his baby brother / did he have a pet ?
Who in the household was he closest to ?

Was he reprimanded for something when Shannon checked on him at 5pm ?
Was he told then it was almost time to come inside ?

What time did Jess & Josie arrive home (from tending the sheep) that day ?

Was it before or after 5.30 pm ?

How was the search for Gus conducted from when Shannon couldn’t find him at 5,30 pm ?

Who searched where ? How thoroughly ? Photos show a multitude of buildings & structures around the homestead, let alone what could be in machinery sheds etc.

Did they try to contact his father before calling Police ?

Were there any visitors to the property that day ? or that week ?

Were there regular ‘visitors’ i.e. mail delivery, fuel delivery etc ? Have these people been accounted for and interviewed ?

Was anything planned for the next day (Sunday) ? Did they normally go to Church / have guests over / go out for lunch or a drive etc ?

Did Jess ever take the children to visit their father ? Was it a regular scheduled visit ?

When was the shearing done ?
How many extras were on the property for this event ( shearers, shed hands, cook, musters, transport etc )
Were they accommodated on the property ? If so, where ?
When did each of them ‘finish’ and leave the property ?
Have they all been interviewed & given a statement ?

Have all neighbours been interviewed ?

Etc….. and JMO.

also imo it feels disrespectful to the basic intelligence of a caring & concerned ‘population’ to ignore the fundamental questions that are on everyone’s lips, yet continue to take up media space, and tax payer $, with ad nauseam reports of their futile searches.

for you little man, whatever the cause of your disappearance.

Reporters of the DM will know, what we want to learn of. But their hands are tied. You know: trespassing etcetera.

 

[katydid23]

I think she said she was getting dinner ready in the house.

In my mind, most kitchens have a window or two that usually has a good view of outside area. I wonder if it had a view of the gravel pit area?

 

[twomoresmores]

Do we know when the next search is taking place?

 

[FromGermany1]

Very good questions.

Also, I am curious about what Shannon was doing from 5 to 5:30, while a little 4 yr old was alone in the yard? Did she have chances to peek out a window to check on him, for a time or 2, or was she completely away all that time?

I've read, Shannon cooked dinner, but I also have read, that she went for a walk. What is true?

 

[WhisperingEyes]

This disappearance is making me think of a case, a boy (Harry, Harley? can't remember his full name) who was missing for three weeks before he was found, stuck in a chimney of an abandoned house nearby. He had climbed onto the roof, intending to enter the locked up house. There had been a massive search with helicopters, search teams and dogs. That house had been checked several times, even though there was no sign of forced entry. His death was determined to be accidental.

Sometimes a kid can squeeze into the most unlikely places.....I still wonder about all those structures on the property, and also any abandoned undiscovered wells etc.

This is so sad...

I think Gus is somewhere on the property nearby the house and structures. This reminds me of 6 year old Gracelyn Vick who got trapped in a feed barrel in Mississippi in May of 2025. MOO, he fell into something or got trapped somewhere on the property near where he was last seen.

No articles of clothing have been found anywhere to indicate he was taken by an animal or wandered far away. Due to the remote location, if he was removed from the property it most likely would have been by one or more of the family members, but the police do not think this is the case.