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

[LookingForClues]

I'm surprised how many people here have never let their kids out of their sight. And how many think a little kid would be bored without toys, or without playmates, or being left to their own devices.

I grew up in the woods in Northern Michigan. It was never boring! So many places to explore, things to build (forts! castles!), creatures to discover (frogs! salamanders! snails! squirrels! birds!). If I wandered out of sight, I remember Mom calling out to me, to check on where I was. I just called back "over here!" If she thought I was too far away, she'd call me closer. And she would continue in the house, caring for my younger brother, cleaning house, making dinner.

I think it would be similar with Gus' family. His family lives on a working ranch. They've divided up responsibilities. An adult is taking care of the household chores and children. Other adults are tending to the sheep, pastures, fencing, etc. Gus wants to play outside, he's likely told to stay nearby. This just sounds so normal to me. Just another day of life at home.

At this point, I really do think Gus wandered off. How far away did he wander? That's the question I don't have an answer for. Little kids can wander miles farther than you'd expect. And they can end up in unexpected places close to home. I hope this family gets some closure soon.

 

[Bigditch]

View attachment 623601
Does it really matter what pile of dirt? Why is everyone so interested.?
Of course searchers have gone all over this place. Police have also had over a month to go over anything in and around the homestead. You have to back then in that they checked everything square CM.

What interests me most from that photo is perhaps the smaller building close to the red pile is where Shannon was looking after the kids. Makes sense as you don't want a 4yo out of sight. She would have been comfortable knowing she could just walk to the window or door to check on him.
Probably my biggest take from it is getting a good look at the road. The building is perhaps obscured from road visibility and perhaps sound from the road too. Let's say she left the back door open for Gus and shut the front, because we all know what happens when it's a bit windy with door open on opposite ends!

Anyway just a bit of rambling thoughts.

I find this image disturbing too. The place looks desolate and congested, as if it would be easy to spirit a child away from there.

 

[Bigditch]

I'm surprised how many people here have never let their kids out of their sight. And how many think a little kid would be bored without toys, or without playmates, or being left to their own devices.

I grew up in the woods in Northern Michigan. It was never boring! So many places to explore, things to build (forts! castles!), creatures to discover (frogs! salamanders! snails! squirrels! birds!). If I wandered out of sight, I remember Mom calling out to me, to check on where I was. I just called back "over here!" If she thought I was too far away, she'd call me closer. And she would continue in the house, caring for my younger brother, cleaning house, making dinner.

I think it would be similar with Gus' family. His family lives on a working ranch. They've divided up responsibilities. An adult is taking care of the household chores and children. Other adults are tending to the sheep, pastures, fencing, etc. Gus wants to play outside, he's likely told to stay nearby. This just sounds so normal to me. Just another day of life at home.

At this point, I really do think Gus wandered off. How far away did he wander? That's the question I don't have an answer for. Little kids can wander miles farther than you'd expect. And they can end up in unexpected places close to home. I hope this family gets some closure soon.

My childhood was fused by my imagination.

 

[essareem]

View attachment 623601
Does it really matter what pile of dirt? Why is everyone so interested.?
Of course searchers have gone all over this place. Police have also had over a month to go over anything in and around the homestead. You have to back then in that they checked everything square CM.

What interests me most from that photo is perhaps the smaller building close to the red pile is where Shannon was looking after the kids. Makes sense as you don't want a 4yo out of sight. She would have been comfortable knowing she could just walk to the window or door to check on him.
Probably my biggest take from it is getting a good look at the road. The building is perhaps obscured from road visibility and perhaps sound from the road too. Let's say she left the back door open for Gus and shut the front, because we all know what happens when it's a bit windy with door open on opposite ends!

Anyway just a bit of rambling thoughts.

I haven't read everything and kept up, so just jumping in here. Only replying to this particular post for the photo - I doubt that small building would be where the kitchen is. I'd assume the kitchen was in the main house. I wonder what this small building is though... It has a chimney. Perhaps living quarters for seasonal workers?

Anyway, I never really looked at that particular photo properly before. As a dirt aficionado myself, with a property full of many dirt piles, fresh, medium, old, as well as sandy, dirty, and muddy, I've had the opportunity to observe how a good dirt pile ages. And so, I'd be willing to bet the dirt pile in this photo is very fresh. Possibly up to a week or two. But that's just my opinion only.

 

[RedHaus]

...An adult is taking care of the household chores and children. Other adults are tending to the sheep, pastures, fencing, etc.... This just sounds so normal to me. Just another day of life at home.

RS&B&ColoredBM
Thank you for stating this bit, as I've started thinking about this same idea.

What if this was truly a day in the life on a late Saturday afternoon in early October at the Homestead, with only one adult and two babes home? What if it was so normal, someone(s) could plan to take Gus at a specific time and place?

And I'm referencing the theories that Gus might have been abducted with evil intent or taken away to protect him some how.

Maybe it was ao normal, it was easy.

p.s. I too grew up free to explore the woods, actually far from adult contact.

IMO.
ET: fix formatting

 

[Ellery84]

I don't like the automatic "Law Enforcement" think, when kids are missing to look at the parents or family first, when there has never been any previous CPS or criminal history in the family.

That needs to be ruled out,

It does need to be ruled out. And police have not said they have ruled out Gus’ family members but they’ve said they don’t think anything suspicious has occurred. IMO

but so many times, police seem to stop their investigation when they can't prove parent involvement. An example of this, is Jaycee Duggard, LEO wss so focused on her stepfather, who saw the kidnapping, they really never followed it up.

And like the kidnapping of "CS" in Australia. It was completely random that they found the perpetrator.

That’s exactly right. Fortunately the WA police explored all avenues of inquiry…..

Things do happen, kids do get kidnapped, or lost.

Yeah they do. Sadly.

 

[BreakingNews]

We're all being bribed with guardianship to hang around!

I haven't been

 

[BreakingNews]

I'm surprised how many people here have never let their kids out of their sight. And how many think a little kid would be bored without toys, or without playmates, or being left to their own devices.

I grew up in the woods in Northern Michigan. It was never boring! So many places to explore, things to build (forts! castles!), creatures to discover (frogs! salamanders! snails! squirrels! birds!). If I wandered out of sight, I remember Mom calling out to me, to check on where I was. I just called back "over here!" If she thought I was too far away, she'd call me closer. And she would continue in the house, caring for my younger brother, cleaning house, making dinner.

I think it would be similar with Gus' family. His family lives on a working ranch. They've divided up responsibilities. An adult is taking care of the household chores and children. Other adults are tending to the sheep, pastures, fencing, etc. Gus wants to play outside, he's likely told to stay nearby. This just sounds so normal to me. Just another day of life at home.

At this point, I really do think Gus wandered off. How far away did he wander? That's the question I don't have an answer for. Little kids can wander miles farther than you'd expect. And they can end up in unexpected places close to home. I hope this family gets some closure soon.

I agree. We lived on a farm and my 3yo sister would roam around with the dog most of the day. Mum and dad were busy, but usually had a general idea where she was. The dog was the best. You can't be a helicopter parent in the bush.

 

[BreakingNews]

It does need to be ruled out. And police have not said they have ruled out Gus’ family members but they’ve said they don’t think anything suspicious has occurred. IMO





That’s exactly right. Fortunately the WA police explored all avenues of inquiry…..

Yeah they do. Sadly.

Police are saying Gus' missing is now with Major Crimes Investigation. I wonder why his disappearance is not back with Missing Persons???

 

[drsleuth]

Police are saying Gus' missing is now with Major Crimes Investigation. I wonder why his disappearance is not back with Missing Persons???

I think the Missing Persons unit sits within the Major crimes Unit???

 

[Lady-J]

I haven't read everything and kept up, so just jumping in here. Only replying to this particular post for the photo - I doubt that small building would be where the kitchen is. I'd assume the kitchen was in the main house. I wonder what this small building is though... It has a chimney. Perhaps living quarters for seasonal workers?

Anyway, I never really looked at that particular photo properly before. As a dirt aficionado myself, with a property full of many dirt piles, fresh, medium, old, as well as sandy, dirty, and muddy, I've had the opportunity to observe how a good dirt pile ages. And so, I'd be willing to bet the dirt pile in this photo is very fresh. Possibly up to a week or two. But that's just my opinion only.

Love your dirt humour
You sure do know about dirt

 

[katydid23]

I'm surprised how many people here have never let their kids out of their sight. And how many think a little kid would be bored without toys, or without playmates, or being left to their own devices.

I grew up in the woods in Northern Michigan. It was never boring! So many places to explore, things to build (forts! castles!), creatures to discover (frogs! salamanders! snails! squirrels! birds!). If I wandered out of sight, I remember Mom calling out to me, to check on where I was. I just called back "over here!" If she thought I was too far away, she'd call me closer. And she would continue in the house, caring for my younger brother, cleaning house, making dinner.

I get what you're saying----kids had the freedom to explore nature when growing up in rural areas. Your Mom would call out to you to check in.

Was anyone calling out to Gus, checking in with him in that 30 minute time span? That's actually a long time for a 4 yr old, outside on a very large plot of land, unsupervised. imo

I think it would be similar with Gus' family. His family lives on a working ranch. They've divided up responsibilities. An adult is taking care of the household chores and children. Other adults are tending to the sheep, pastures, fencing, etc. Gus wants to play outside, he's likely told to stay nearby. This just sounds so normal to me. Just another day of life at home.

At this point, I really do think Gus wandered off. How far away did he wander? That's the question I don't have an answer for. Little kids can wander miles farther than you'd expect. And they can end up in unexpected places close to home. I hope this family gets some closure soon.

 

[SouthAussie]

Police are saying Gus' missing is now with Major Crimes Investigation. I wonder why his disappearance is not back with Missing Persons???

If you listen to the Deputy Commissioner in this video in the 7News link (about the 22 sec mark) she explains that Gus' case is being managed by the Missing Persons section which sits within the Major Crimes division.

7News Adelaide


However, they have now formed Taskforce Horizon which has 12 members - we haven't heard who those 12 members are. Probably 12 people from various areas that can help with the search and investigation. imo

On Tuesday morning, the commissioner announced the creation of Taskforce Horizon, which he said comprised 12 people, including "a range of specialists who will continue to analyse information, assess opportunities for further searches on the property, and investigate all of the circumstances that possibly might have occurred that's resulted in Gus going missing"

'No evidence' during new Gus search, as police announce taskforce

As SA Police and the Australian Defence Force resume their search for missing four-year-old Gus in South Australia's arid mid-north, authorities have announced a new taskforce.

www.abc.net.au

 

[MelmothTheLost]

I get what you're saying----kids had the freedom to explore nature when growing up in rural areas. Your Mom would call out to you to check in.

Was anyone calling out to Gus, checking in with him in that 30 minute time span? That's actually a long time for a 4 yr old, outside on a very large plot of land, unsupervised. imo

Especially where there are snakes that need shooting.

 

[Andreee]

Especially where there are snakes that need shooting.

Dont know if grandma Shannon who was babysitting at the time would shoot snakes.

 

[jepop]

If you listen to the Deputy Commissioner in this video in the 7News link (about the 22 sec mark) she explains that Gus' case is being managed by the Missing Persons section which sits within the Major Crimes division.

7News Adelaide


However, they have now formed Taskforce Horizon which has 12 members - we haven't heard who those 12 members are. Probably 12 people from various areas that can help with the search and investigation. imo

On Tuesday morning, the commissioner announced the creation of Taskforce Horizon, which he said comprised 12 people, including "a range of specialists who will continue to analyse information, assess opportunities for further searches on the property, and investigate all of the circumstances that possibly might have occurred that's resulted in Gus going missing"

'No evidence' during new Gus search, as police announce taskforce

As SA Police and the Australian Defence Force resume their search for missing four-year-old Gus in South Australia's arid mid-north, authorities have announced a new taskforce.

www.abc.net.au

As I understand it, yep, Gus' case has been with the MPU and Task Force Horizon since c Oct 15th. I really don't think the last press release has indicated anything different in terms of continuing no evidence of foul play. Jmo

 

[Lady-J]

Dont know if grandma Shannon who was babysitting at the time would shoot snakes.

The bullet would ricochet off the cement and hit me in the head if I tried that

 

[mickey2942]

There is just so much space out there. So easy to get lost. Was their yard fenced in at all?

My grandparents place in Montana had a "yard fence" around the house and garden. Then the "big yard" fence around the chicken coops, barn, and animal pens. And the "huge fence" around the property.

The yard fence was chain link. Pretty high.

 

[statt#1]

As this saga drags on, I gotta tell ya, my spidey senses are growin'. I'm having difficulty rationalizing little Gus simply wandered off, in to a region he knew held potential danger, in particular, right before dinner time.

Yep, even at 4 years old, I opine, the little guy had likely heard stories of the bush, the poisonous snakes, the do's and don'ts, the chances of trouble if out there alone, folks who got lost, or died of thirst, or who knows what. Yeah, right before dinner time, right before dark, out in to the wilderness he goes?

I'm sorry, at this juncture, I ain't buyin' it anymore.

 

[Springs4]

View attachment 623601
Does it really matter what pile of dirt? Why is everyone so interested.?
Of course searchers have gone all over this place. Police have also had over a month to go over anything in and around the homestead. You have to back then in that they checked everything square CM.

What interests me most from that photo is perhaps the smaller building close to the red pile is where Shannon was looking after the kids. Makes sense as you don't want a 4yo out of sight. She would have been comfortable knowing she could just walk to the window or door to check on him.
Probably my biggest take from it is getting a good look at the road. The building is perhaps obscured from road visibility and perhaps sound from the road too. Let's say she left the back door open for Gus and shut the front, because we all know what happens when it's a bit windy with door open on opposite ends!

Anyway just a bit of rambling thoughts.

Or is this smaller building where Jess lives with the 2 little ones?