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

[Thoughtful123]

I have been thinking of similar recent cases with long term missing people and what came next after police called off the initial search. Samantha Murphy’s local community saw many volunteers scouring bushland and paddocks, neighbours searching their dams and a high level of public interest in supporting the family. It is hard not to imagine how one would react to this kind of situation. If I had a missing family member I would be begging the community to help me search for them, I would ask the CWA, CFA, endurance runners, pony club and adult horse riders, dirt bike riders ect. Anyone with experience in this kind of terrain I would ask to come and help me find my family member. Do we know if the family or community is continuing the search?

 

[SouthAussie]

I've never heard 1.30am, just something along the lines of "several hours", which I assumed would be sometime around the time they decided police had to be called. That's odd, and concerning. I wonder why it took so long? Gus went missing at 5.30pm, police were notified at 8.30pm. Why did it take another 5 hours to notify the missing child's father? Even if police from the Yunta area had to drive to the father's house themselves (which wouldn't happen), apparently that only takes about 2 hours. Did police or Jess just continue to try and call for hours before deciding to show up? No wondered he's annoyed it took so long to find out, I'd be too.

This has been mentioned by another member further back .... that the link that has been posted didn't actually say that Gus' dad was annoyed about the time he was woken by police. It said he was furious that Gus went missing.

Josh might have understood why he wasn't contactable by phone (if that was the case), and still been angry that Gus had gone missing.


A source close to the devastated father said he is furious that his little boy went missing from Oak Park.

It is understood Mr Lamont only found out his child was missing when police woke him up at his Belalie North home, hours after Gus had vanished.

This is the link that has been posted about it.
Gus's 'furious' dad is seen for the first time after son disappeared

 

[Dotta]

Behind a paywall

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980140550842900613

 

[drsleuth]

Behind a paywall

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980140550842900613

Candace Sutton has draw a hell of alot of long bows in this article IMO

I can understand why she put it behind a paywall

IMO

 

[musicaljoke]

Behind a paywall

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980140550842900613

This is precisely the reason for keeping the press away. I completely support the family's desire for privacy.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

This has been mentioned by another member further back .... that the link that has been posted didn't actually say that Gus' dad was annoyed about the time he was woken by police. It said he was furious that Gus went missing.

Josh might have understood why he wasn't contactable by phone (if that was the case), and still been angry that Gus had gone missing.


A source close to the devastated father said he is furious that his little boy went missing from Oak Park.

It is understood Mr Lamont only found out his child was missing when police woke him up at his Belalie North home, hours after Gus had vanished.

This is the link that has been posted about it.
Gus's 'furious' dad is seen for the first time after son disappeared

I get that he wasn't annoyed at being woken up, he was upset about his child being missing and probably also that it took so long to be notified. I maybe didn't word it, nor this post, very well, but it's been a day.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Surely his hat would’ve been found somewhere not too far away, and the drone with infra red should’ve picked something up the first night he went missing.

Quote snipped by me. All JMO/IMO:

I think it's possible his hat was covered by sand or under a bush and missed. Infrared might not pick up someone who's underneath a bush or rock or hidden in some way.

I also still wonder if Gus went to the "nearby" dam. I am thinking of the case of the young man who was walking his dog and fell into a manhole. They searched extensively but didn't find him for quite awhile. His body was right there, hidden within the pipes in the nearby water utility building (don't remember the name for it.)

 

[Ellery84]

Candace Sutton has draw a hell of alot of long bows in this article IMO

I can understand why she put it behind a paywall

IMO

I'm sure she's not in charge of the paywall decision!

I don't think Gus has a black eye. We know William did.

Some of her comparisons were good, and I think some were a stretch.

I do wonder: What do we gain by comparing the two boys?

What is CS actually trying to say, without coming out and saying it?

IMO
Edit: I found this link and for me it is not behind a paywall.
Striking coincidences between lost boys Gus Lamont and William Tyrrell Striking coincidences between lost boys Gus Lamont and William Tyrrell

 

[Ellery84]

Did police or Jess just continue to try and call for hours before deciding to show up?

It might have been a tactical decision for police to show up. Unannounced.

I understand Josh has been cleared of involvement in Gus' disappearance, so whilst it was no doubt traumatic to be told in that way, it may have worked out ok in a way for Josh because at least he's not a suspect?

Imo

Of course what everyone wants is to have Gus back home, but being under suspicion is also a horrible thing that Josh may have avoided due to the way police sort of ambushed him.

Imho

 

[FromGermany1]

I'm sure she's not in charge of the paywall decision!

I don't think Gus has a black eye. We know William did.

Some of her comparisons were good, and I think some were a stretch.

I do wonder: What do we gain by comparing the two boys?

What is CS actually trying to say, without coming out and saying it?

IMO
Edit: I found this link and for me it is not behind a paywall.
Striking coincidences between lost boys Gus Lamont and William Tyrrell Striking coincidences between lost boys Gus Lamont and William Tyrrell

Unfortunately, for me it's paywalled.

 

[FromGermany1]

Candace Sutton has draw a hell of alot of long bows in this article IMO

I can understand why she put it behind a paywall

IMO

Can't read the article, but have to say: Similarity between the little William's and little Gus' story is, that they are two very sweet boys, who can't be found, not even their remains, and that the families of the two for a certain reason are too discreet in dealing with the public. MOO

 

[HoneyBunOne]

It might have been a tactical decision for police to show up. Unannounced.

I understand Josh has been cleared of involvement in Gus' disappearance, so whilst it was no doubt traumatic to be told in that way, it may have worked out ok in a way for Josh because at least he's not a suspect?

Imo

Of course what everyone wants is to have Gus back home, but being under suspicion is also a horrible thing that Josh may have avoided due to the way police sort of ambushed him.

Imho

BBM
I get that. I even get that it's possible Jess suspected Josh had something to do with it, and maybe didn't want to call him as a result. However, at some point police found out that Gus has a father who is not living at the property (even though there appears to be a romantic relationship between Jess & Josh and no ill feelings there - at least between the two of them) and then it should be up to police to make contact, whether he is a suspect or not. If he IS a suspect, the sooner the better for a variety of reasons. If he is NOT, then he still deserves to be told ASAP about his child being missing. 8 hours after Gus went missing is too long to be informed, in my opinion, given the location. Yes, perhaps phone reception was an issue, potentially his phone being on "do not disturb" meant he didn't hear a call, or police needed to travel a distance to get phone reception to try and call him - I get all that takes time. Even if Yunta police personally sent someone to go to Josh's house, 8 hours is too long. If a call was made to local police, 8 hours is still too long for me. It makes me wonder if right from the start, the investigation may not have been handled as well as it could/should be.
MOO

 

[Warshawski]

I don't like the automatic "Law Enforcement" think, when kids are missing to look at the parents or family first,

I think I understand your sentiments in that it must be absolutely dreadful to be in the depths of despair about your missing ‘family member’ and then to find yourself being questioned as if ‘under suspicion’.
I remember many many years ago when my about 7 years old daughter injured her shoulder doing cartwheels on the lawn & I took her to the ambulance station as in those days & in that area it was the closest for any sort of first aid. Part way through the examination & the questions, I suddenly realised that it was being considered that I had hurt her ! and it was a horrible feeling. However, better that someone was alert & checking, than not caring was my reasoning.

In that same vain I think it absolutely essential that those nearest / closest / known etc are thoroughly checked in the very beginning, despite how hard it is. Sadly so many people have found themselves doing all they can to help in an investigation under those difficult circumstances. Statistics back up the need to that focus, but they also don’t say to focus entirely on those people or at that level.

To be fair to all publications, I’ve not seen anything that has suggested any possible blame on Gus’s family members for his disappearance.

I think everyone everywhere is desperately searching and hoping for any shred of ‘something’ that may give a hint to what occurred that day that led to him going missing.
I know I am. His family needs to know.

IMO.

 

[Dotta]

BBM
I get that. I even get that it's possible Jess suspected Josh had something to do with it, and maybe didn't want to call him as a result. However, at some point police found out that Gus has a father who is not living at the property (even though there appears to be a romantic relationship between Jess & Josh and no ill feelings there - at least between the two of them) and then it should be up to police to make contact, whether he is a suspect or not. If he IS a suspect, the sooner the better for a variety of reasons. If he is NOT, then he still deserves to be told ASAP about his child being missing. 8 hours after Gus went missing is too long to be informed, in my opinion, given the location. Yes, perhaps phone reception was an issue, potentially his phone being on "do not disturb" meant he didn't hear a call, or police needed to travel a distance to get phone reception to try and call him - I get all that takes time. Even if Yunta police personally sent someone to go to Josh's house, 8 hours is too long. If a call was made to local police, 8 hours is still too long for me. It makes me wonder if right from the start, the investigation may not have been handled as well as it could/should be.
MOO

This is all horrific IMO.

Now it is reported
(I sent a DM link earlier)
the father is living with his family in Adelaide.
Far from in-laws' property.

Although, as was reported,
he took part in searches.

He also never returned to his place in Jamestown
which he was painstakingly preparing for his children and wife.
Hoping for Gus to attend school there socializing with peers.

Hoping to live together with his wife and 2 sons in Jamestown as a family.

JMO

Sending link once again

The hidden detail about Gus Lamont's family

Before Gus Lamont disappeared, his father had been renovating a house, hoping his young family could soon move in together.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[TootsieFootsie]

VIDEO: The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Gus Lamont​

ABC News Australia

5 minute video

The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Gus Lamont

Sarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Megnut]

Assuming no foul play, and assuming the family didn't even consider foul play, I have to assume they assumed he'd be found. If not in this minute, then surely in the next. Waking up his dad who was hours away, how wounds that help? Gus would be found well before Dad could get there.

It actually goes a long way toward confirming that the family thought he was on the property and would be located that they didn't alert/alarm Dad needlessly. If they're was even a chance Dad had him or that somebody might have taken him, I would have expected him to be the first call.

JMO

 

[Dotta]

Assuming no foul play, and assuming the family didn't even consider foul play, I have to assume they assumed he'd be found. If not in this minute, then surely in the next. Waking up his dad who was hours away, how wounds that help? Gus would be found well before Dad could get there.

It actually goes a long way toward confirming that the family thought he was on the property and would be located that they didn't alert/alarm Dad needlessly. If they're was even a chance Dad had him or that somebody might have taken him, I would have expected him to be the first call.

JMO

Both parents
Mother and Father have equal parental rights.
And IMO
it excludes withholding crucial information concerning safety of a child.

After all,
both parents have the same legal rights and responsibilities toward their child,
(including making major decisions about education, healthcare, and upbringing, etc.).

And being informed about anything concerning a child is a parent's RIGHT.
Legal right.

JMO

 

[HoneyBunOne]

Assuming no foul play, and assuming the family didn't even consider foul play, I have to assume they assumed he'd be found. If not in this minute, then surely in the next. Waking up his dad who was hours away, how wounds that help? Gus would be found well before Dad could get there.

It actually goes a long way toward confirming that the family thought he was on the property and would be located that they didn't alert/alarm Dad needlessly. If they're was even a chance Dad had him or that somebody might have taken him, I would have expected him to be the first call.

JMO

I hate to sound like I'm on repeat.

I get what you're saying, but at some point Josh needed to be notified, and personally I think 8 hours later is too late. I get you don't do it at 5.30pm - of course you're going to expect to find him in a minute or two. But once it gets dark, once you realise it's time to call the police, then you know it's really concerning to the family on the farm. At that point I would imagine it's time to notify the child's father, especially in these circumstances (no estrangement from the other parent)

I'm not sure what the "right" or "acceptable" time frame is, but for me, 8 hours ain't it!

 

[FromGermany1]

I hate to sound like I'm on repeat.

I get what you're saying, but at some point Josh needed to be notified, and personally I think 8 hours later is too late. I get you don't do it at 5.30pm - of course you're going to expect to find him in a minute or two. But once it gets dark, once you realise it's time to call the police, then you know it's really concerning to the family on the farm. At that point I would imagine it's time to notify the child's father, especially in these circumstances (no estrangement from the other parent)

I'm not sure what the "right" or "acceptable" time frame is, but for me, 8 hours ain't it!

First the mother had to come home herself as she was sheep collecting or something 10km away. We don't know, when she began to try to call her partner, but searching for little Gus was certainly much more important and urgent than a call to someone, who is 2hours away and can't help immediately. It may also be, that Jess was very used to not getting her partner Josh on his phone all the time, when she had a concern. MOO

 

[HoneyBunOne]

First the mother had to come home herself as she was sheep collecting or something 10km away. We don't know, when she began to try to call her partner, but searching for little Gus was certainly much more important and urgent than a call to someone, who is 2hours away and can't help immediately. It may also be, that Jess was very used to not getting her partner Josh on his phone all the time, when she had a concern. MOO

I get it, but I keep coming back to 8 hours!!
I do wonder if it has relevance - if this aspect took so long to happen, what else may have?