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

[Sillybilly]

I'd be interested in knowing how Shannon supposedly had the issue under control prior to Josie appearing. Had Shannon allowed the reporter to remain or had she asked her to leave? If asked to leave, why was she still there? If she was not asked to leave by Shannon, she was told to do so by Josie in no uncertain terms. If I think someone has "pulled a gun" on me and is pointing it at me, and roaring at me to "Get out", you can bet your boots I'm gettin' on the first roar ... not going to stand there and try to justify why you should let me stay. The only threat that I saw was Josie saying to the effect (paraphrased) that the police would be called.

<self snipped>

Just saw the Tik Tok with the Reporter linked upthread ... She specifically says Shannan had asked her to leave. Then why was she standing there trying to convince Josie why she should be allowed to stay? IMO, that's not fear ... that's ballsy.

 

[Andreee]

I'd be interested in knowing how Shannon supposedly had the issue under control prior to Josie appearing. Had Shannon allowed the reporter to remain or had she asked her to leave? If asked to leave, why was she still there? If she was not asked to leave by Shannon, she was told to do so by Josie in no uncertain terms. If I think someone has "pulled a gun" on me and is pointing it at me, and roaring at me to "Get out", you can bet your boots I'm gettin' on the first roar ... not going to stand there and try to justify why you should let me stay. The only threat that I saw was Josie saying to the effect (paraphrased) that the police would be called.

Also, I do not see the gun being pulled on the reporter or waved or brandished at the reporter. It went from under total control pointed at the ground, and then under total control with the barrel pointed toward the sky. There's only so many ways you can carry a gun, but it was most definitely not pointed or brandished.

All MOO

ETA: Considering the DM seems to be the only pub that insists on referring to and publicizing such details of their very private life to the world, I'm not surprised that these folks aren't feeling all warm and fuzzy toward the DM much at all.

Yes, and unfortunately I see many comments elsewhere online going along with the narrative that the DM portrays, and their descriptions of certain members of the family, so that posters jump to conclusions about Gus's disappearance based on it. Red herrings. IMO.

 

[jepop]

Yes, and unfortunately I see many comments elsewhere online going along with the narrative that the DM portrays, and their descriptions of certain members of the family, so that posters jump to conclusions about Gus's disappearance based on it. Red herrings. IMO.

Moo the DM will be patting their 'reporter' on the back for a job well done, mission accomplished. Yet in reality all she reported on was the result of the drama she initiated, which has nothing to do with Gus being missing.

I also noticed in another tiktok by her someone posted earlier up- thread the addition of a new heavily critical narrative; basically that the Police and task force aren't doing a good enough job. Of course this came after the Commissioner's (necessary and deserved Imo) public castigation. Moo

 

[tedtink]

Yes, and unfortunately I see many comments elsewhere online going along with the narrative that the DM portrays, and their descriptions of certain members of the family, so that posters jump to conclusions about Gus's disappearance based on it. Red herrings. IMO.

Agreed.

The way the DM is spinning the narrative is absolutely sickening imo, they know exactly what they're doing.

 

[spiritualdreaming]

Not sure what poster was asking about other dams in the area, but here is some information. So I'm assuming that any dams/tanks within the radius LE searched have been checked.

Fortunately a lot of the dams are dry," Superintendent Mark Syrus, officer in charge of the Yorke and Mid North region, said on Monday, September 29.

"But the ones that have got some water in — we've brought up the water police just to go and actually search those dams and just discount them.

"Our understanding [is] he's not gravitated to water, but just for completeness sake, that's the only reason we're searching the dams and the rainwater tanks."

No sign of missing 4yo after dam drained, SA police say

Police say "nothing of significance" was found after a dam was drained on Friday in a search for missing four-year-old Gus that was undertaken "out of an abundance of caution".

www.abc.net.au

 

[SouthAussie]

Yesterday I was looking for who the police would report an incident like the one with the DM to.

Ms Williams warned the public to stay off private property. “If this persists, then action will be taken, you will either be reported or arrested, this is completely disgraceful conduct,” Link


And I was wondering if it would be a report to the Press Council as they handle media who breach their code of ethics.

The Council is the principal body with responsibility for responding to complaints about Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets, such as websites. Its jurisdiction extends to all the print publications and related digital outlets of its constituent bodies. Link

(Wouldn't be the first time that the DM has been reported to them - one example)

 

[Lemony]

Yesterday I was looking for who the police would report an incident like the one with the DM to.

Ms Williams warned the public to stay off private property. “If this persis)ts, then action will be taken, you will either be reported or arrested, this is completely disgraceful conduct,” Link


And I was wondering if it would be a report to the Press Council as they handle media who breach their code of ethics.

The Council is the principal body with responsibility for responding to complaints about Australian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets, such as websites. Its jurisdiction extends to all the print publications and related digital outlets of its constituent bodies. Link

(Wouldn't be the first time that the DM has been reported to them - one example)

Jumping off your post, I'm wondering what the rules are around filming within a private property without consent and then publishing the footage online. I'm assuming no consent what given, however I could be wrong.

 

[drsleuth]

Moo the DM will be patting their 'reporter' on the back for a job well done, mission accomplished. Yet in reality all she reported on was the result of the drama she initiated, which has nothing to do with Gus being missing.

I also noticed in another tiktok by her someone posted earlier up- thread the addition of a new heavily critical narrative; basically that the Police and task force aren't doing a good enough job. Of course this came after the Commissioner's (necessary and deserved Imo) public castigation. Moo

Absolutely, they achieved the goal, get a reaction & clicks.

The intention was not for them to be able to " tell their story" , Jonica very well knew that did not want to talk to the media , especially the DM who has done nothing but post inflammatory headlines & articles about them

All IMO

 

[sunspun]

Do you have a link for this? I have not heard this before.

I thought this had been reported in the Daily Mail, should be a link in the page before this. However, after I posted it, other posters pointed out that the meaning is ambiguous in the article. First off, their source is an unnamed friend, so is it real? We don't know, but I thought it was, mainly because they included actual quotes from the friend (in quotation marks, so I would hope verbatim). But the way it's worded other posters think the friend was referring to the time before he went missing, not after. So obviously, that would make a big difference! We already knew about that, from the beginning.

But to me, it still sounded like he meant AFTER Gus disappeared, and if so, yes, it would mean Gus's own father was being kept from searching for Gus, because of problems between Joshua and Josie, which, if true, imo, is so wrong! The source in the DM said Josh had been "banned" from the homestead by Josie, after there were "things said that couldn't be unsaid."

I took it to mean that when Josh was on the property early on, helping search, that he said things to Josie that Josie didn't like, probably things that Josie took as blaming her or other family (and he may have meant it that way, IDK), so Josie ordered him off property and told him he couldn't come back. Much the same way that things went in the Nova Scotia missing kids case, when Daniel's mother ordered Malehya's family off her property for things they said. I think it was probably very similar to what happened there. Tempers flare in tense times, makes sense.

But it's possible that's not what the friend of Gus's family meant at all, so as of this moment, it is unverified, and if I'd realized that, I would have included that in my comment.

 

[Mauig’ma]

Absolutely, they achieved the goal, get a reaction & clicks.

The intention was not for them to be able to " tell their story" , Jonica very well knew that did not want to talk to the media , especially the DM who has done nothing but post inflammatory headlines & articles about them

All IMO

Can we please Stop bashing DM or any other approved source? It’s getting old imo and taking the focus away from finding Gus. Tyia moo

 

[SouthAussie]

I thought this had been reported in the Daily Mail, should be a link in the page before this. However, after I posted it, other posters pointed out that the meaning is ambiguous in the article. First off, their source is an unnamed friend, so is it real? We don't know, but I thought it was, mainly because they included actual quotes from the friend (in quotation marks, so I would hope verbatim). But the way it's worded other posters think the friend was referring to the time before he went missing, not after. So obviously, that would make a big difference! We already knew about that, from the beginning.

But to me, it still sounded like he meant AFTER Gus disappeared, and if so, yes, it would mean Gus's own father was being kept from searching for Gus, because of problems between Joshua and Josie, which, if true, imo, is so wrong! The source in the DM said Josh had been "banned" from the homestead by Josie, after there were "things said that couldn't be unsaid."

I took it to mean that when Josh was on the property early on, helping search, that he said things to Josie that Josie didn't like, probably things that Josie took as blaming her or other family (and he may have meant it that way, IDK), so Josie ordered him off property and told him he couldn't come back. Much the same way that things went in the Nova Scotia missing kids case, when Daniel's mother ordered Malehya's family off her property for things they said. I think it was probably very similar to what happened there. Tempers flare in tense times, makes sense.

But it's possible that's not what the friend of Gus's family meant at all, so as of this moment, it is unverified, and if I'd realized that, I would have included that in my comment.

"Jason O'Connell, who was an SES member for 11 years, and his partner Jen revealed earlier this week that Mr Lamont had joined them on a night-time search for Gus."

Gus's 'furious' dad is seen for the first time after son disappeared

The little boy vanished almost two weeks ago after playing in the yard of remote Oak Park homestead in the harsh South Australian outback, 300km north of Adelaide .

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Ellery84]

Had Shannon allowed the reporter to remain or had she asked her to leave? If asked to leave, why was she still there? If she was not asked to leave by Shannon, she was told to do so by Josie in no uncertain terms

Shannon gave a no comment response when questioned by the reporter.

Shannon asked her to leave. Reporter agreed and headed toward the car.

Whilst walking toward car, Josie appeared on porch with gun in hand and started yelling.

 

[sunspun]

"Jason O'Connell, who was an SES member for 11 years, and his partner Jen revealed earlier this week that Mr Lamont had joined them on a night-time search for Gus."

Gus's 'furious' dad is seen for the first time after son disappeared

The little boy vanished almost two weeks ago after playing in the yard of remote Oak Park homestead in the harsh South Australian outback, 300km north of Adelaide .

www.dailymail.co.uk

Can you tell from the date on the article when this happened? I can't tell if they're referring to the time that we do know about that Josh went to help search early on.

The sentence under the headline says, "The little boy vanished almost two weeks ago..." So if that's when they're talking about, it might mean the time we already knew about that Josh searched.

I don't know when the unnamed friend meant that the dispute occurred that resulted in Josh being told to stay off the property (according to the source, unverified.)

 

[kurtneverdied]

Don't get this DM bagging. Most of our sources of information on the case are DM links. We wouldn't get any information without them as other media aren't following as closely. All media, expect perhaps the ABC (arguable) are click bait trash these days. DM aren't even the worse.
I'm over this debate about the incident. It's got nothing to do with finding Gus apart from gaining an insight on Josie's character which everyone will assess differently. Without media we would rely on police statements that are more likely to be less truthful at this stage than the media. Eg. Police will say what's best for the case not 100% truths and definitely if suspecting foul play, they aren't going to let anyone know that and will deny it until they have enough to hopefully procecute if it is foul play.

 

[SouthAussie]

Whilst walking toward car, Josie appeared on porch with gun in hand and started yelling.

Even by Jonica Bray's own report, it is evident that the photographer then took footage. (which then was published nationwide)
While trespassing on the private property.


Ms Bray replied that she 'was leaving' already.
'Shut your face and get out,' Josie yelled back. Both the reporter and the photographer who accompanied her then left the property.

Gus Lamont's grandmother waves pump-action shotgun at reporter

Daily Mail went to speak to Josie Murray on Wednesday afternoon but after we offered our sympathies to the family, she waved a gun.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Section 3 of the Surveillance Devices Act 2016 (SA) defines a public place to include:

• A place to which free access is permitted to the public with the express or implied consent of the owner or occupier;
• A place to which the public are admitted on payment of money only;
• A road, street, footway, court, alley, or thoroughfare the public are allowed to use

Photography and film in public places

www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au

 

[SouthAussie]

Can you tell from the date on the article when this happened? I can't tell if they're referring to the time that we do know about that Josh went to help search early on.

The sentence under the headline says, "The little boy vanished almost two weeks ago..." So if that's when they're talking about, it might mean the time we already knew about that Josh searched.

I don't know when the unnamed friend meant that the dispute occurred that resulted in Josh being told to stay off the property (according to the source, unverified.)

If Josh wasn't living on the property, due to disputes or whatever, it is obvious that he was on the property for the search. No matter when it was.

I have seen nothing that suggests the disputes were after Gus disappeared. Just "friends" talking to the press about family history.

imo

 

[Ellery84]

Even by Jonica Bray's own report, it is evident that the photographer then took footage. (which then was published nationwide)
While trespassing on the private property.


Ms Bray replied that she 'was leaving' already.
'Shut your face and get out,' Josie yelled back. Both the reporter and the photographer who accompanied her then left the property.

Gus Lamont's grandmother waves pump-action shotgun at reporter

Daily Mail went to speak to Josie Murray on Wednesday afternoon but after we offered our sympathies to the family, she waved a gun.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Section 3 of the Surveillance Devices Act 2016 (SA) defines a public place to include:

• A place to which free access is permitted to the public with the express or implied consent of the owner or occupier;
• A place to which the public are admitted on payment of money only;
• A road, street, footway, court, alley, or thoroughfare the public are allowed to use

Photography and film in public places

www.lawhandbook.sa.gov.au

Yeah, a papp is going to keep filming. They're documenting the incident as a WHS incident as well as filming for the story.

We don't know how far away the Papp was, might have been standing at the car and zooming in.

Anyway, neither of the media people have been charged with trespassing.

Imo

I'm almost ready to move on from the gun incident.

 

[essareem]

I'd be interested in knowing how Shannon supposedly had the issue under control prior to Josie appearing. Had Shannon allowed the reporter to remain or had she asked her to leave? If asked to leave, why was she still there? If she was not asked to leave by Shannon, she was told to do so by Josie in no uncertain terms. If I think someone has "pulled a gun" on me and is pointing it at me, and roaring at me to "Get out", you can bet your boots I'm gettin' on the first roar ... not going to stand there and try to justify why you should let me stay. The only threat that I saw was Josie saying to the effect (paraphrased) that the police would be called.

Also, I do not see the gun being pulled on the reporter or waved or brandished at the reporter. It went from under total control pointed at the ground, and then under total control with the barrel pointed toward the sky. There's only so many ways you can carry a gun, but it was most definitely not pointed or brandished.

All MOO

ETA: Considering the DM seems to be the only pub that insists on referring to and publicizing such details of their very private life to the world, I'm not surprised that these folks aren't feeling all warm and fuzzy toward the DM much at all.

The way I understand it, the first grandparent had asked the reporter to leave, and as she was walking to the gate to leave, the second grandparent appeared with the gun, initiating secondary contact, asking her who she was.

That particular reporter is rather ballsy, she is the one who sat in a car with James Wood for an interview - half an hour before his arrest (it was also mentioned by that reporter on one of her tiktok videos that the car caught fire while she was interviewing him, in response to this, he just turned the car off and continued the interview like nothing happened).

However, in this video I can hear the fear in her voice. I'm sure she would have been somewhat shocked, being out in the middle of nowhere with I assume only a photographer with her.

I, myself, would have been terrified - given events over the last few years with shootings on rural properties. And IMO the second grandparent's big, booming voice, immediate hostility while holding a gun would have made me poop myself.

So, IMO given the circumstances, and the context of her occupation and the whole reason she was there, I can imagine she wasn't exactly thinking straight, which IMO might be why she answered the second grandparent's question / attempted to explain herself despite the very apparent aggression / threat.

Also, IMO a lot of Australians on rural / remote properties own guns, that's not a problem in itself. In my experience (having lived in the country almost my whole life), the people with gun licenses are very careful about following certain very basic gun handling rules - trigger discipline, never pointing it at anything you don't intend to kill, treating every firearm as loaded (even if you have just unloaded it), etc.

In my opinion the change of gun position (a few seconds after this timestamp) was completely unnecessary, I can think of no legitimate explanation as to why this position change was required in any way.

Also, at this point in the video the grandparent is approaching while holding the gun upwards, moves it downwards to the ground, in an arc which directs the gun muzzle straight at the camera. This is very, very poor gun handling, I don't know any gun owner who would change the position of the gun in such an unsafe way. A gun should never even momentarily be pointed towards another person, loaded or unloaded.

In this video, the reporter says that when she made her statement about the incident to the police, the police said "It's going to be very hard to prove that she wasn't out there removing a snake for example..."

Personally, I hate the Daily Mail as an outlet. I only use that website for news about missing people / criminal cases. I always see all the trashy articles in the sidebar... However, I can't deny that they do publish so much more information than is available on any of the other news websites about these cases. That particular reporter may not be perfect or polished - in fact she put me off when I first encountered her - however over time I have come to really enjoy her grassroots style of reporting.

All IMO.

 

[SouthAussie]

Yeah, a papp is going to keep filming. They're documenting the incident as a WHS incident as well as filming for the story.

We don't know how far away the Papp was, might have been standing at the car and zooming in.

Anyway, neither of the media people have been charged with trespassing.

Imo

I'm almost ready to move on from the gun incident.

Maybe you missed Jonica Bray's description, which I quoted ... Both the reporter and the photographer who accompanied her then left the property.

They filmed the incident from within the private property. And published it nationwide.

 

[MIG214222]

Can we please Stop bashing DM or any other approved source? It’s getting old imo and taking the focus away from finding Gus. Tyia moo

The DM & *all* media have been told, in no uncertain terms, from the early days of Gus Lamont being missing - the family did not welcome media intrusions.
I'd also like to see the same 'grace' given to Gus's grandparent, who by all police & media accounts, was 10 kilometers away from Gus when he vanished. I've had a gutful of the side-eyes, the innuendos & the veiled suggestions.
Gus Lamont in the ultimate victim, and *all* the family members are also victims; SAPOL have not named any family member as a POI *and* WS is purportedly a victim-friendly-forum.

M s