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

[AmoryK]

I think part of why we feel like we have so little information is not only because of LE keeping things close, it is because we don't have the additional contributions of journalists talking to neighbors.

Would LE have asked Jess and Josh not to talk? Jess would know about the vehicles and which were used. She’d also know when she last saw Gus. Maybe they think that there’s no point giving such details as only two (?) people know what happened, but I think providing some details might increase pressure on the alleged perpetrator(s).

 

[BreakingNews]

Has it been reported what time LE woke him with the information that Gus was missing?

About 1.30am the next day.

 

[Ruminations]

I think part of why we feel like we have so little information is not only because of LE keeping things close, it is because we don't have the additional contributions of journalists talking to neighbors.

Would LE have asked Jess and Josh not to talk? Jess would know about the vehicles and which were used. She’d also know when she last saw Gus. Maybe they think that there’s no point giving such details as only two (?) people know what happened, but I think providing some details might increase pressure on the alleged perpetrator(s).

I don't know, but LE couldn't compel the parents to talk or not talk to the media.

So I think it goes back to the family's private style.

MOO

 

[hoodunnit]

We also don’t know if JL is a shift worker or has some other routine reason that would have him in bed early.

It was footy grand final day. If he follows the game, it is possible he'd indulged in a few too many beers perhaps and was sleeping it off

 

[Ruminations]

It was footy grand final day. If he follows the game, it is possible he'd indulged in a few too many beers perhaps and was sleeping it off

Nothing wrong with that , if true, as long as he wasn't driving or parenting.

MOO

(This is not medical advice.)

 

[hoodunnit]

Nothing wrong with that , if true, as long as he wasn't driving or parenting.

MOO

(This is not medical advice.)

Never said there was anything wrong with it; just giving one possible explanation for early night.

 

[Morequestionsthananswers]

I think part of why we feel like we have so little information is not only because of LE keeping things close, it is because we don't have the additional contributions of journalists talking to neighbors.

Would LE have asked Jess and Josh not to talk? Jess would know about the vehicles and which were used. She’d also know when she last saw Gus. Maybe they think that there’s no point giving such details as only two (?) people know what happened, but I think providing some details might increase pressure on the alleged perpetrator(s).

Pressure would be good. I wish Jess and Josh would talk, it might help.
No doubt the grandparents have given their version of events to some people but my question is how is anyone supposed to know if they’ve been lied to without some details?

 

[AmoryK]

Pressure would be good. I wish Jess and Josh would talk, it might help.
No doubt the grandparents have given their version of events to some people but my question is how is anyone supposed to know if they’ve been lied to without some details?

I agree. I wouldn’t expect them to speak in public if they’re private people and because of the trauma they’re struggling with, but someone could speak on their behalf. The little details might spark a thought in someone. (Metaphorical) sunlight is good.

Perhaps LE has told them not to speak about the day - because Jess’s account would indicate the likely suspect. But - while no neighbours might have seen the events of that day, they’d have seen behaviour during the search and in the days and weeks afterward. Knowing what happened that fateful day, might help them connect some helpful dots and thus provide useful information regarding Gus’s whereabouts.

 

[Morequestionsthananswers]

We know nothing
We don’t know ;
•when Jess last saw Gus
•if Jess and Josie were in sight of each other while looking for lost sheep .
•what time they arrived home / together or separately
•how long Jess and the boys had been staying at Oak Park and how long they were planning on staying
•why they were there

 

[Marg944]

A news report from a week ago…..

30K views · 134 reactions | The SA Police Commissioner has shared fresh insight into the Gus Lamont Major Crime investigation. #9News | 9 News Adelaide

The SA Police Commissioner has shared fresh insight into the Gus Lamont Major Crime investigation. #9News

www.facebook.com

 

[Raina_the_observer]

Never said there was anything wrong with it; just giving one possible explanation for early night.

How is 1.30 am an early night? That is when LE woke him up.

 

[gerardo20]

Thanks for this Marg944, not sure how I missed these comments and not sure if people have commented on here....

From the report,
...when asked about Gus's grandparents Josie and Shannon Murray, the SA police commissioner replied they are "not seeing the level of cooperation you would expect from people who are directly related to the little boy."

 

[jepop]

I'm not even sure that lulling anybody is the point.

I don't know what the Australian version is "beyond a reasonable doubt," is, but I'm sure that there is a standard of proof that is required before a conviction that leads to incarceration is obtained. Searching, searching and searching again makes it hard for the defense to convince a jury or judge that the searchers or LE could have missed something.

If anything, the extended time LE spent looking for a trail of Gus could scare the guilty, because it begins to look harder and harder to claim dingos, etc. And while one might bring up toddlers that traversed incredible distances overnight, etc., the fact remains that no matter how far Gus may have been able to travel, he couldn't have gotten anywhere without first being in the immediate area of the start point.

Even if LE thought it looked like Gus didn't just wander off the every evening they started looking for him, I don't see how they had a choice but go all out in case they were wrong, and, even if they were sure, in case they needed to build a case and didn't want the guilty to have the chance to say LE didn't properly look for him.

If Gus' body is not found, and LE has some evidence of which we are not aware suggesting a crime, they will doubly need to eliminate the wandered off defense.

LE did rule out abduction very early on, if I recall correctly. So even if the family never used the words that Gus wandered off, it was really the only explanation left that fit the timeline we were told.

MOO

RBBM. Yes in regards this. I'd think Australia's version of BARD - standards, concepts and principles - are very similar to the US?

INAL but my understanding is Aust is a Commonwealth country, so our criminal laws/legislation are historically influenced by the British system and principles of common law ; therefore both proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the prosecutorial burden are *the key* considerations for any jury, as in the UK, British ex colonies and most if not all of Europe. And as in the US. Jmo

Beyond Reasonable Doubt | The Injustice Project

The criminal justice system cannot function unless there is a commitment to understand and apply the highest standards of proof.

www.injustice.law

https://www.ag.gov.au/crime/publications/commonwealth-criminal-code-guide-practitioners-draft/part-26-proof-criminal-responsibility/division-13/132-standard-proof-prosecution

The defence

lawhandbook.sa.gov.au

 

[Marg944]

Thanks for this Marg944, not sure how I missed these comments and not sure if people have commented on here....

From the report,
...when asked about Gus's grandparents Josie and Shannon Murray, the SA police commissioner replied they are "not seeing the level of cooperation you would expect from people who are directly related to the little boy."

You’re welcome!! I posted it because I too had never heard those comments from the Police Commissioner. Pretty damning.

 

[Ruminations]

About 1.30am the next day.

Wow. I think they had to peek in on him-have had evidence of his whereabouts for several hours before. Maybe local PD drove by his home or wherever he was soon after LE arrived at the station. Because while the evidence now is Josh was far away, they couldn't have known that immediately. And I would think that Gus being with his father would be one of the first theories to eliminate on the scene.

I just don't believe that LE would ignore the other parent as a possible location for a child. There could have been a misunderstanding. If LE did not ask Jess to call him on the spot to see what he says, or have Jess show find-my-iPhone type data from her phone, if they mutually shared that, they must have had someone drive by Josh and check it out some time before 1:30 AM. Nobody's launching infrared helicopter searchers without checking to see if Dad thought he discussed it already: He was taking Gus out to dinner.

I get clearly why LE was convinced by 1:30 AM that Gus was not with Josh. But I don't believe they would be so sure at 9:30 PM, or whenever they arrived.

MOO

 

[SouthAussie]

Wow. I think they had to peek in on him-have had evidence of his whereabouts for several hours before. Maybe local PD drove by his home or wherever he was soon after LE arrived at the station. Because while the evidence now is Josh was far away, they couldn't have known that immediately. And I would think that Gus being with his father would be one of the first theories to eliminate on the scene.

I just don't believe that LE would ignore the other parent as a possible location for a child. There could have been a misunderstanding. If LE did not ask Jess to call him on the spot to see what he says, or have Jess show find-my-iPhone type data from her phone, if they mutually shared that, they must have had someone drive by Josh and check it out some time before 1:30 AM. Nobody's launching infrared helicopter searchers without checking to see if Dad thought he discussed it already: He was taking Gus out to dinner.

I get clearly why LE was convinced by 1:30 AM that Gus was not with Josh. But I don't believe they would be so sure at 9:30 PM, or whenever they arrived.

MOO

I don't know if the 1:30am is a fact. I think it may be a rumour. A link has never been found or provided.
If it was a known fact, you'd think it would be published somewhere.

imo

 

[GracefulD1an]

Thanks for this Marg944, not sure how I missed these comments and not sure if people have commented on here....

From the report,
...when asked about Gus's grandparents Josie and Shannon Murray, the SA police commissioner replied they are "not seeing the level of cooperation you would expect from people who are directly related to the little boy."

Interesting…seems like the grandparents are now officially persons of interest. Well I have suspected it for some time now but it is nice to see some sort of confirmation from authorities.

 

[Warshawski]

Wow. I think they had to peek in on him-have had evidence of his whereabouts for several hours before. Maybe local PD drove by his home or wherever he was soon after LE arrived at the station. Because while the evidence now is Josh was far away, they couldn't have known that immediately. And I would think that Gus being with his father would be one of the first theories to eliminate on the scene.

I just don't believe that LE would ignore the other parent as a possible location for a child. There could have been a misunderstanding. If LE did not ask Jess to call him on the spot to see what he says, or have Jess show find-my-iPhone type data from her phone, if they mutually shared that, they must have had someone drive by Josh and check it out some time before 1:30 AM. Nobody's launching infrared helicopter searchers without checking to see if Dad thought he discussed it already: He was taking Gus out to dinner.

I get clearly why LE was convinced by 1:30 AM that Gus was not with Josh. But I don't believe they would be so sure at 9:30 PM, or whenever they arrived.

MOO

On the face of it, I agree with all you say.

The big HOWEVER is ( imo) that I’m not convinced that we’ve had any absolute time lines confirmed by LE.

Someone please correct me when required.

Just my understanding/ thoughts :

It’s been ‘said’ that Gus was noticed missing from his play at Oak Park Station by his grandmother Shannon at 5.30 pm ( I would suggest that’s broad, as I doubt Shannon looked at her exactly tuned watch at the exact time of her discovery !)

I thought it was around 3 / 3.30 am when Josh was woken to be told of his missing son ( but I’m open to any variations as imo no longer can we trust our media. … integrity is lost as soon as $$ become the driver )

(remember I asked for corrections please as I’m trying to get an accurate time line )

I think it was around 9.00pm when Gus was reported as missing, and police were on scene very quickly - quite surprising for me given the remoteness of Oak Park. Did they all fly in ?

** Re your comment of ‘ignoring other parent’ - could it be that it took that long for LE to get results back as to Gus’s paternity / Josh’s whereabouts ?

However, what the **** were the occupants of Oak Park doing in all the hours between Gus being missing and their call for help !
I get that there are a number of buildings etc around the ‘home settlement’ - but there were also 3 adults searching for a little missing boy who obviously was not responding, but also was not locatable.

I get the remoteness of Oak Park- but imo that also could speak volumes .. No neighbours to visit, no streets to wander, no ‘unknowns’ to explore / no one to see, no one to hear, no witnesses to anything,
I grew up in a remote environment, however we did have ‘significant day’ catch-ups with neighbours - driving an hour or. so in those days was nothing if it mattered, and who judges the ‘significant day’ , it may have been for a roo drive, a dingo drive, an anniversary, a Christmas celebration or anything in between.
We’ve seen photos of Josie & Shannon on a shopping & business trip that would have been of a similar distance imo. .. that’s just life in the Aussie bush.

And I understand kids, had a few, nurtured many - they are rightfully inquisitive, they can be given to wander off - to follow a dog, a butterfly, a bird, a wallaby / kangaroo etc., to push the boundaries, disobey rules and to lose track of time - But, if able, they will always come home for dinner.

All the wandering off theories were ruled Out by the Tracker imo. .no footprints, no bits of him found ( I accept 100% - I know the skills of aboriginal trackers and of my white man dad who was a renowned tracker in his area / day)

So this is where I come unstuck in my attempts to be ‘unbiased’.

I thought LE were genuinely on to something, but then I heard the SA police commissioner saying they are "not seeing the level of cooperation you would expect from people who are directly related to the little boy." ( 31K views · 138 reactions | The SA Police Commissioner has shared fresh insight into the Gus Lamont Major Crime investigation. #9News | 9 News Adelaide)

Seriously ! Where did that come from ? Why did that need to be said ?

There’s a message in there I’m sure but I missed it. Instead I’ve started to question the solidity of SAPOL’s previous statements re ‘suspect’. … imo there is no way that a criminal charge can be laid on the basis of ‘an expectation of behaviour’ - as individuals we all act, behave and grieve differently.

Back to square one it seems to me.

From my perspective, little Gus has long been deceased. .. I pray that his demise was quick and painless- and in that I take solace for him.

On the other hand, my heart breaks for Jess & Josh. Losing a child is - there’s no words. I can’t imagine how they deal with the ‘not knowing’. As horrific as it may be, knowledge provides a pathway ..

I’ve always struggled with the triumph of Bad over Good, so my Go-to in trying to curtail my rage is to remind myself that everything eventually catches up - what goes around comes around etc - be it in this world or the next .


All Just My Opinion, as always.

 

[BreakingNews]

On the face of it, I agree with all you say.

The big HOWEVER is ( imo) that I’m not convinced that we’ve had any absolute time lines confirmed by LE.

Someone please correct me when required.

Just my understanding/ thoughts :

It’s been ‘said’ that Gus was noticed missing from his play at Oak Park Station by his grandmother Shannon at 5.30 pm ( I would suggest that’s broad, as I doubt Shannon looked at her exactly tuned watch at the exact time of her discovery !)

I thought it was around 3 / 3.30 am when Josh was woken to be told of his missing son ( but I’m open to any variations as imo no longer can we trust our media. … integrity is lost as soon as $$ become the driver )

(remember I asked for corrections please as I’m trying to get an accurate time line )

I think it was around 9.00pm when Gus was reported as missing, and police were on scene very quickly - quite surprising for me given the remoteness of Oak Park. Did they all fly in ?

** Re your comment of ‘ignoring other parent’ - could it be that it took that long for LE to get results back as to Gus’s paternity / Josh’s whereabouts ?

However, what the **** were the occupants of Oak Park doing in all the hours between Gus being missing and their call for help !
I get that there are a number of buildings etc around the ‘home settlement’ - but there were also 3 adults searching for a little missing boy who obviously was not responding, but also was not locatable.

I get the remoteness of Oak Park- but imo that also could speak volumes .. No neighbours to visit, no streets to wander, no ‘unknowns’ to explore / no one to see, no one to hear, no witnesses to anything,
I grew up in a remote environment, however we did have ‘significant day’ catch-ups with neighbours - driving an hour or. so in those days was nothing if it mattered, and who judges the ‘significant day’ , it may have been for a roo drive, a dingo drive, an anniversary, a Christmas celebration or anything in between.
We’ve seen photos of Josie & Shannon on a shopping & business trip that would have been of a similar distance imo. .. that’s just life in the Aussie bush.

And I understand kids, had a few, nurtured many - they are rightfully inquisitive, they can be given to wander off - to follow a dog, a butterfly, a bird, a wallaby / kangaroo etc., to push the boundaries, disobey rules and to lose track of time - But, if able, they will always come home for dinner.

All the wandering off theories were ruled Out by the Tracker imo. .no footprints, no bits of him found ( I accept 100% - I know the skills of aboriginal trackers and of my white man dad who was a renowned tracker in his area / day)

So this is where I come unstuck in my attempts to be ‘unbiased’.

I thought LE were genuinely on to something, but then I heard the SA police commissioner saying they are "not seeing the level of cooperation you would expect from people who are directly related to the little boy." ( 31K views · 138 reactions | The SA Police Commissioner has shared fresh insight into the Gus Lamont Major Crime investigation. #9News | 9 News Adelaide)

Seriously ! Where did that come from ? Why did that need to be said ?

There’s a message in there I’m sure but I missed it. Instead I’ve started to question the solidity of SAPOL’s previous statements re ‘suspect’. … imo there is no way that a criminal charge can be laid on the basis of ‘an expectation of behaviour’ - as individuals we all act, behave and grieve differently.

Back to square one it seems to me.

From my perspective, little Gus has long been deceased. .. I pray that his demise was quick and painless- and in that I take solace for him.

On the other hand, my heart breaks for Jess & Josh. Losing a child is - there’s no words. I can’t imagine how they deal with the ‘not knowing’. As horrific as it may be, knowledge provides a pathway ..

I’ve always struggled with the triumph of Bad over Good, so my Go-to in trying to curtail my rage is to remind myself that everything eventually catches up - what goes around comes around etc - be it in this world or the next .


All Just My Opinion, as always.

Agree . I thought LE woke Josh at 1.30am.

 

[bruecbrian290]

I was looking back through a few news articles, I found this slightly weird.

'He was unable to confirm if either of Gus's parents, Jess or Josh, were living at the family's station.' (ABC News)

I thought we knew Jess and grandparents lived at the station. Or did I imagine this?

If Josh was woken up in his home (again may just be me imagining I read somewhere it was his home), he would not be living at the station, right?