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

[iamshadow21]

There appears to be an element of contradiction in the article.

"None of Gus’ family members is accused of any wrongdoing or involvement in his disappearance.

Speaking generally about missing children’s cases, Ms Mallett said police are likely to start looking into those “physically present” at the time of Gus’ disappearance."

Someone please correct me if I've missed anything, but to the best of my recollection we've only been told that Shannon, Jess and (presumably) Josie were "physically present" when Gus went missing. For someone else to be there at the critical time that suggests either station hands (the immediate disappearance of one of whom would surely be noticed) or visitors, including friends, family anddelivery drivers or similar.

Those posters who have experience of life on a station - who else from outside might have been physically present at the time?

Xanthe is a cash for comment 'expert' who turns up with her opinion on everything. Her field of expertise is in forensic anthropology, not missing children.

Xanthé Mallett - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MOO

 

[Toowong(s)]

There appears to be an element of contradiction in the article.

"None of Gus’ family members is accused of any wrongdoing or involvement in his disappearance.

Speaking generally about missing children’s cases, Ms Mallett said police are likely to start looking into those “physically present” at the time of Gus’ disappearance."

Someone please correct me if I've missed anything, but to the best of my recollection we've only been told that Shannon, Jess and (presumably) Josie were "physically present" when Gus went missing. For someone else to be there at the critical time that suggests either station hands (the immediate disappearance of one of whom would surely be noticed) or visitors, including friends, family and delivery drivers or similar.

Those posters who have experience of life on a station - who else from outside might have been physically present at the time?

There’s a fair chance some shearers and roustabouts given it’s shearing time.

Gus was a little young to need one, 5 would be the start of school age. But large stations often have a governess living on the property to educate any children who live on the property (in conjunction with “school of the air”).

Governess Australia

Governess Australia is dedicated to providing information and supporting families, governesses and childcare workers in the Australian Outback in distance education. We offer information, support and a job advertising service for both employer and employees.

www.governessaustralia.com

 

[Lucy.D]

I saw tv footage of a woman who is a friend of the family telling people that Gus hasn’t been abducted because there are six gates on the way to the property. My father has a sheep farm with gates and that doesn’t stop random members of the public occasionally driving onto the property .
Six gates didn’t stop 100 people from entering Oak Park Station to search for Gus

Which way to the homestead did the 100 people use to stop at six gates to get there and I suppose that's using the 25km long driveway?

 

[musicaljoke]

Why is there so much discussion on this thread about possible places on the property where Gus could be found when police have said they have done everything possible to find him?
Does that mean many people on here are criticising the police investigation, which is not allowed.

There are two phases to finding Gus. The first was Search and Rescue when police used all available resources to comb the area looking for a live child. This involved the use of SAR volunteers, a helicopter, drone and whatever othe resources could be brought in. This is a careful search where every stone is turned in a systematic pattern. But it is a slow search and although it is the best that humans can do, it is not flawless. There is still the chance that a small child is missed, or beyond the search area, or that the child crossed the search grid and moved into an area that was already searched. But police will have done everything they could to find Gus. That does not mean that Gus is not still out there.

When all hope of finding a living child is over, then the SAR volunteers go back home, the helicopter, drones, etc are pulled out and the search enters the second phase, which is the Recovery Phase. This takes much longer, even years. Fewer resources are put into this phase. There isn't the same urgency. But the search continues, often going over the same area that the SARs workers searched, or researching areas that might be more complex, like ponds or buildings.

So no, it is not a criticism of the police to continue the search. It is a normal procedure when the initial SAR search is not successful.

 

[drsleuth]

Xanthe is a cash for comment 'expert' who turns up with her opinion on everything. Her field of expertise is in forensic anthropology, not missing children.

Xanthé Mallett - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MOO

She is also a criminologist & lectures in the same

A passionate educator, Xanthé began lecturing in Criminology at UON in early 2017.

Associate Professor Xanthe Mallett / Staff Profile / The University of Newcastle, Australia

www.newcastle.edu.au

 

[Lady-J]

Which way to the homestead did the 100 people use to stop at six gates to get there and I suppose that's using the 25km long driveway?

Oak Park Station is situated just off Oak Park Road and it is a 45 minute drive to the nearest town Yunta according to google maps

 

[Lucy.D]

It's interesting to see where Oak Park Station is on the map.
About 20 minutes drive in one direction is Tiverton Station and about the same distance the other way is a significant number of buildings at Grampus.
What I found interesting is that within about 1km of Oak Park Station towards Grampus are two more sets of buildings. They are within walking distance even for a 4 year old.

This screenshot shows Oak Park at the top right and the other buildings within about 1km:

This screenshot is the building at the lower left:

This screenshot is the buildings in the middle:

 

[FromGermany1]

(Remember this is just my opinion and take on the matter.)

I believe the initial strategy (ground search and heli mobilised) would suggest abduction was ruled unlikely during the risk assessment.

There are a few factors here, in this case we have:

- location/terrain
- time of day
- access
- family background (no custody battles)
- age and temperament
- statements provided by caregivers
- no gang/drug/money related concerns of involvement
- no new relationships/personal interest in the family and/or child

MOO

After that, you might think, it is completely hopeless to find him.

 

[packetgravy]

Fresh insight into outback SA search for missing boy Gus Lamont | 7NEWS​

Family friend says he is certain the little boy is not on the property and has ruled out bizarre theories like an eagle taking him.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Ok I’m circling back to Jason.

I’ll admit I jumped the gun a bit. I assumed he was suggesting abduction, which is one theory I can’t get onboard with.

Turns out there is a longer version of the interview which offers a lot more insight.
Jason’s careful language is compelling,

Firstly, he seems like a good guy. I believe every word he said. He absolutely has the experience and knowledge to share his findings with confidence.

The following quote peaked my interest:

“Hopefully the family will be able to point us in the direction where they think he went, or somewhere he might be.”

His tone changes as he delivers his final message and “direction” was not a query - it was a demand.

MOO

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Old Soul]

It's interesting to see where Oak Park Station is on the map.
About 20 minutes drive in one direction is Tiverton Station and about the same distance the other way is a significant number of buildings at Grampus.
What I found interesting is that within about 1km of Oak Park Station towards Grampus are two more sets of buildings. They are within walking distance even for a 4 year old.

This screenshot shows Oak Park at the top right and the other buildings within about 1km:
View attachment 619211

This screenshot is the building at the lower left:
View attachment 619212

This screenshot is the buildings in the middle:
View attachment 619215

That very much looks like a shearing shed with sheep yards to me.
The sheep are penned in the yards before and after they are shorn, then herded back to their usual grazing paddocks on the station.
If the station had been shearing that day it wouldn’t be surprising if Gus had wandered off in that direction.

Here is an aerial photo of another shearing shed with sheep (not Oak Park).
Photo from aerial-photo-modern-corrugated-iron-sheep-shearing-shed-australia-evolution-of-shearing-sheds-shedblog | Steel Sheds in Australia

 

[Total_C]

We need a link for the source of this information otherwise I will have to remove it.
Thank you
Tricia

Hi Tricia,

Thanks. the source is visible in the screenshot (adsbexchange.com). It’s a public ADS-B tracker anyone can view.

Here’s the same link for reference: ATSB Exchange

 

[Ellery84]

Xanthe is a cash for comment 'expert' who turns up with her opinion on everything. Her field of expertise is in forensic anthropology, not missing children.

Xanthé Mallett - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MOO

Stop reading my mind!! Lol

 

[Ellery84]

Hi Tricia,

Thanks. the source is visible in the screenshot (adsbexchange.com). It’s a public ADS-B tracker anyone can view.

Here’s the same link for reference: ATSB Exchange

You are a few total legend @Total_C and I really appreciate your information contributed.

 

[MrJ]

On the balance of probabilities I don’t think Gus is very far from the property. There’s always a first time for everything but if he had never wandered off before it’s probable he didn’t stray very far if he did. But toddlers are unpredictable so he could’ve gone anywhere unfortunately. This is quite simply a haunting case.

 

[butterstick]

Ok I’m circling back to Jason.

I’ll admit I jumped the gun a bit. I assumed he was suggesting abduction, which is one theory I can’t get onboard with.

Turns out there is a longer version of the interview which offers a lot more insight.
Jason’s careful language is compelling,

Firstly, he seems like a good guy. I believe every word he said. He absolutely has the experience and knowledge to share his findings with confidence.

The following quote peaked my interest:

“Hopefully the family will be able to point us in the direction where they think he went, or somewhere he might be.”

His tone changes as he delivers his final message and “direction” was not a query - it was a demand.

MOO

TikTok - Make Your Day

He's pretty clear: "It's not going to happen - a wedge tail will pick up a kilo or two. They're not going to pick up a 4 year old . There's no pigs, there's no wild dogs, there's no foxes".

He knows the area well and worked with the SES for two decades.

30 minutes is a long time to of not noticed a child gone, imo. But he was at his home, so I'm not going to judge a guardian for thinking a kid is safe in a known environment, but lots of distance can be made in 30 minutes.

 

[BreakingNews]

There’s a fair chance some shearers and roustabouts given it’s shearing time.

Gus was a little young to need one, 5 would be the start of school age. But large stations often have a governess living on the property to educate any children who live on the property (in conjunction with “school of the air”).

Governess Australia

Governess Australia is dedicated to providing information and supporting families, governesses and childcare workers in the Australian Outback in distance education. We offer information, support and a job advertising service for both employer and employees.

www.governessaustralia.com

It was school holidays

 

[Thoughtful123]

Some additional information about the family provided in this DM article. Josie is confirmed as Jess’ biological parent and Josh (Gus’ biological father) has been ruled out of involvement with the disappearance (unsure where the DM confirmed this as they don’t list a source). The article also states that the house Josh is living in last sold in 2022, it is unclear if Josh purchased the house or is renting.

The mystery of angelic Gus, 4, who disappeared in the Outback

His grandmother says she saw him playing there at 5pm two Saturday evenings ago.Half an hour later, when Gus was called in for dinner, he had gone.

www.dailymail.co.uk

“Born Robert Murray, Josie is Jess’s biological father. Josie’s wife, Shannon, is Jess’s biological mother. Locals say Josie transitioned around 2015.”

“Late on September 27, the night Gus vanished, Josh was found asleep in his home by police.

It’s unclear why Jess had not phoned to tell him their child was missing, but analysis of his movements that day are believed to have ruled out any involvement in the disappearance.”

 

[nadine2024]

Hi everyone
New member because I’ve become so invested in this case I’m searching for anything online that offers some answers. Used to work out near Yunta and find this whole thing so concerning. Re abduction- I don’t understand how someone could have driven out there and taken little Gus without leaving fresh tyre tracks? Or would they just be merged in with police tracks etc who then drove out to look for him- so then they just got mixed in with that? Can’t get my head around how anyone could have taken him out of there unless driving.

 

[spiritualdreaming]

Photos of the scrub vegetation (and searchers) around the family station (first 3 top), compared to the chaparral vegetation in the Malibu Canyon area in CA (bottom). similar.

I mentioned before the large scale air and ground search for a missing person (Mitrice Richardson), who was not found during that search.
Her remains were eventually found months later near a dry creek bed, by hikers I believe.

Gus was a small child. He could have curled up in the fetal position under or in the brush, if he was cold, scared and in distress. It's said that lost children, in nature, tend to do that for self-comfort.
Mitrice was an adult.
It's POSSIBLE he simply has not been found in that expanse, IF he indeed left the homestead.

I'm sure that the searchers were thorough and committed, did everything in their power to find him. But missing people are sometimes simply missed. Same applies to the open desert-like land of Joshua Tree national Park (CA), the names of missing people eventually found whose names I cannot remember now.

The salt bush can grow very large and In big clusters. They definitely are a good canopy for something to hide under

I would be really interested in the specifics of the search are, I think I read by the first October they had searched a 2.5km radius of the last known location and perhaps there were 70-100 people onsite a day? It seems to me he’s could have walked significantly further and it would be very difficult to cover that area comprehensively with that amount of people? Maybe with hindsight they need to mobilise a larger military effort earlier in these cases to get more people on the ground? Doesn’t really explain how the air assets didn’t pick him up tho…

If only a 2.5km radius on a 60,000 hectare property was searched. There still a lot of area to cover IMO

 

[Rumination1]

Hi everyone
New member because I’ve become so invested in this case I’m searching for anything online that offers some answers. Used to work out near Yunta and find this whole thing so concerning. Re abduction- I don’t understand how someone could have driven out there and taken little Gus without leaving fresh tyre tracks? Or would they just be merged in with police tracks etc who then drove out to look for him- so then they just got mixed in with that? Can’t get my head around how anyone could have taken him out of there unless driving.

I agree
This is not an area to flee on foot if abducting

There needed to have been a vehicle

I believe it is one of two things
A) he’s wandered and the search hasnt found him
B) something nefarious happened at some point that day or in the time since the last sighting by someone not family

However , I struggle to believe the entire family would have stuck to a cover story of him walking off at 5 pm

if there is third party involvement who are the possibilities that might have been in Yunta that Saturday ?