CANADA Canada - Jack, 4 & Lilly Sullivan, 6, Vulnerable, wandered from home 10am, Gairloch Rd, Landsdowne Station, Pictou County, NS, 2 May 2025 #6

[Ontario Mom]

That’s right, we really know nothing. Two and half months have gone by and situations are never frozen in time. Who Meadow is with, where is MBM or even if the RCMP has made any investigative progress? It does feel like a cold case.

I can't recall what case it was but some years ago I read a LE statement about the public assuming a case had gone cold (because LE wasn't updating the public at all) and he said something along the lines of "unless we announce the case has gone cold, it hasn't". It was pretty blunt like that & changed the way I thought about how investigations go.

In this case, I don't think it's gone cold at all, I think they're still combing through all data, video and every interview. In other words, just doing their job.

 

[Lucy6226]

I can't recall what case it was but some years ago I read a LE statement about the public assuming a case had gone cold (because LE wasn't updating the public at all) and he said something along the lines of "unless we announce the case has gone cold, it hasn't". It was pretty blunt like that & changed the way I thought about how investigations go.

In this case, I don't think it's gone cold at all, I think they're still combing through all data, video and every interview. In other words, just doing their job.

Yes I think there is a lot of 'behind the scenes' going on. I think the RCMP have a good idea what happened to the children, they are just gathering the evidence to secure a conviction imo

 

[Ontario Mom]

Yes I think there is a lot of 'behind the scenes' going on. I think the RCMP have a good idea what happened to the children, they are just gathering the evidence to secure a conviction imo

That's certainly possible. I do have a feeling there will be an update soon though. Their last update was a month ago today https://rcmp.ca/en/nova-scotia/news...roach-missing-persons-investigation-continues so hopefully soon, there's news to update the public with.

 

[su5ie]

I've tried looking for smaller local papers but nothing is coming up or subscription based can anyone whom lives in Canada check maybe its just not coming up for me or even local small radio stations

 

[katydid23]

This. I work with kids. Usually girls around 3-4 are able to dress themselves. It seems to take a little longer for some boys. However I have seen boys around 3-4 able to dress themselves. I’m unsure as to how capable little Jack is as this is a very kid by kid thing.

I agree with the above. But I also think the 6 yr old girl could probably help her little brother get dressed if necessary. They probably rely upon each other a lot.

 

[MistyWaters]

I've tried looking for smaller local papers but nothing is coming up or subscription based can anyone whom lives in Canada check maybe its just not coming up for me or even local small radio stations

Nothing at all.

 

[AddyFinch]

The department said cases are added on the request of the investigating police agency. Spokeswoman Jodi Sibley said major unsolved crimes “are defined as unsolved homicides or suspicious missing person cases.” Re case eligibility

 

[MistyWaters]

The department said cases are added on the request of the investigating police agency. Spokeswoman Jodi Sibley said major unsolved crimes “are defined as unsolved homicides or suspicious missing person cases.” Re case eligibility

Hasn’t it been said all along by the RCMP that every missing persons investigation is considered suspicious until there’s have reason to believe otherwise? As the children have not been found, it’s suspicious.

They’ve also said all ‘options’ are being considered. But offering a reward does not solve a case until or unless somebody is enticed by the reward money and provides information so the RCMP can determine what specific option they ought to be considering.

Joining the reward program might suggest LE lacks investigative evidence at this point in time, worst case scenario they have nothing and are desperate. I hope this isn’t so but it could account for their silence and the longer it takes to solve a missing persons case, the lesser of a chance it will be solved.
JMO

 

[abanddb123]

Have you followed the case of Dylan E? it’s not the same, there is a strong theory. His boots were found, it’s believed he drowned in Salmon River. There is a thread here on Websleuths.

As for Lilly and Jack, it seems the RCMP don’t have one prevailing theory and it’s hoped the reward will offer solid leads to solve the mystery of their disappearance. Says to me they have the belief that somebody has information, for $150k they might talk.
JMO

Honest question, is this your opinion or is this facts from Law enforcement?

 

[MistyWaters]

Honest question, is this your opinion or is this facts from Law enforcement?

Nothing I’ve written is stated as facts from LE.

 

[missourimom2]

I’m curious, for those of you who have followed similar cases, is it heard of that the person who turned out guilty requested to take a polygraph test during the investigation?

 

[MistyWaters]

I’m curious, for those of you who have followed similar cases, is it heard of that the person who turned out guilty requested to take a polygraph test during the investigation?

I haven’t head of any. Chris Watts failed his polygraph which then led to his confession but I don’t know if he requested the test.

Chris Watts 'Giggled' as Agents Pushed for a Murder Confession — and Failed a Polygraph Test

According to newly released investigative documents, Watts "giggled" when asked about making people disappear before confessing to his wife's murder.

people.com

I’m only aware of cases where a suspect later found guilty refused to take a polygraph during the investigation.

 

[Ontario Mom]

I’m curious, for those of you who have followed similar cases, is it heard of that the person who turned out guilty requested to take a polygraph test during the investigation?

I've followed cases where the person who ended up being a named suspect did at least offer to take a polygraph (didn't actually take one, just offered) and even appeared to be cooperative, at least at first.

In this case, it seems a bit different. I believe DM when he says the tech told him "good job, you passed" (the poly) and he did willingly give LE all access to his phone, bank accounts, and any other thing they asked for. Now, did he actually pass the poly, or did the tech just say that? We can't know for sure, but we do know he's not been named a suspect so there's that.

 

[su5ie]

The department said cases are added on the request of the investigating police agency. Spokeswoman Jodi Sibley said major unsolved crimes “are defined as unsolved homicides or suspicious missing person cases.” Re case eligibility

This is the article that I read and then assumed it meant that a criminal element was present in jack and lillys case . The following two paragraphs imo give a mixed message and each in some way indicate that foulplay is involved imo .

On one hand one officer is letting us know indirectly that the reward is only offered if foul play is present and then the other officer is insinuating that there is by not being a clear cut yes or no in her answer .

So do we assume all cases that have a criminality element suspected are added to the list therefore in lilly and jacks case for it to be added there has to be something that meets the criteria for eligibility.

I know who I suspect

 

[su5ie]

Hasn’t it been said all along by the RCMP that every missing persons investigation is considered suspicious until there’s have reason to believe otherwise? As the children have not been found, it’s suspicious.

They’ve also said all ‘options’ are being considered. But offering a reward does not solve a case until or unless somebody is enticed by the reward money and provides information so the RCMP can determine what specific option they ought to be considering.

Joining the reward program might suggest LE lacks investigative evidence at this point in time, worst case scenario they have nothing and are desperate. I hope this isn’t so but it could account for their silence and the longer it takes to solve a missing persons case, the lesser of a chance it will be solved.
JMO

Other children have not been found but they have not been added to the reward programme for a 'just in case" reason .

I get that in Dylans missing child case his boots were found beside a brook but just because his boots were found beside water doesn't mean he drowned. They is a possibility no matter how slim that they were placed there in order to mislead any investigation . This is why his father , I assume is questioning why not offer the reward for his child .

If we look at what information the RCMP and SARS have put out into the public domain re lilly and jack . They have stated , they don't feel its an abduction. They found a boot print that may or may not belong to either child . And they found what looked like boot prints at the end of the driveway. They also state they were hindered in the search by difficult and extremely dense terrain.

So by the justice department adding the children to the reward system indicates to me that they have a valid reason to suspect foulplay in this case whereas in Dylans on the balance of probability all gathered evidence pointed to a misadventure.

But is it prior cps involvement in lilly and jacks case that raises the suspicion or did they find evidence that indicates foulplay or was the lack of any evidence of them walking through the forest the reason to add them ?

I'm very shocked at the continued silence of mum

 

[MistyWaters]

Other children have not been found but they have not been added to the reward programme for a 'just in case" reason .

I get that in Dylans missing child case his boots were found beside a brook but just because his boots were found beside water doesn't mean he drowned. They is a possibility no matter how slim that they were placed there in order to mislead any investigation . This is why his father , I assume is questioning why not offer the reward for his child .

If we look at what information the RCMP and SARS have put out into the public domain re lilly and jack . They have stated , they don't feel its an abduction. They found a boot print that may or may not belong to either child . And they found what looked like boot prints at the end of the driveway. They also state they were hindered in the search by difficult and extremely dense terrain.

So by the justice department adding the children to the reward system indicates to me that they have a valid reason to suspect foulplay in this case whereas in Dylans all evidence pointed to a misadventure. But is it prior cps involvement or did they find evidence that indicates it or was the lack of any evidence of them walking through the forest the reason

Suspecting foul play would seem a reasonable option in this case as I don’t think anyone would disagree the children’s disappearance is suspicious. I don’t think it’s worth getting caught up about N.S.’s policy of offering rewards since it’s impossible for us to know insider details.

However this case isn’t solved by a reward being offered, nor do I see it as a clue. IMO it’s an investigative avenue the RCMP are hopeful will prove lucrative if someone willing to come forward that is aware of incriminating evidence. Question is, is there such a person who would do it for the money while keeping silent up till now? If there’s not the reward offering comes at no risk if it’s never collected.

JMO

 

[su5ie]

Suspecting foul play would seem a reasonable option in this case as I don’t think anyone would disagree the children’s disappearance is suspicious. I don’t think it’s worth getting caught up about N.S.’s policy of offering rewards since it’s impossible for us to know insider details.

However this case isn’t solved by a reward being offered, nor do I see it as a clue. IMO it’s an investigative avenue the RCMP are hopeful will prove lucrative if someone willing to come forward that is aware of incriminating evidence. Question is, is there such a person who would do it for the money while keeping silent up till now? If there’s not the reward offering comes at no risk if it’s never collected.

JMO

If we assume the only people present were mum , stepdad and 3 children, one whom is too young to be considered a witness in any court .

If both those adults are implicit, obviously even an alleged break up is not testing loyalties. And if only one is aware of what happened, well that person only has to remain silent and the reward will remain un claimed .

I know we have discussed before that Canadian LE and the media tend to not engage in a circus type spectacle as we witness in other countries. But I am suspicious of a number of key players remaining anonymous and silent. Not one appeal on key milestones or interview with relatives saying they miss the kids or how much work is being done or a representative giving a media conference and fielding questions.

Prehaps I'm so used to this type of pathway to finding missing children that it seems alien to me that a parent wouldn't utilise the media to help raise awareness of their child's case . It's like they want the public to lose interest and for it to disappear from public consciousness imo

 

[iveyguy]

Question is, is there such a person who would do it for the money while keeping silent up till now? If there’s not the reward offering comes at no risk if it’s never collected.

I did a little digging today - this program has paid out 3 rewards in 19 years of existence, with the last reward seemingly happening in 2018.* Statistically, that's about 2.5% of the cases, which doesn't seem like much, but is obviously better than nothing. And further to your point, this program hasn't cost a dime in the last seven years, so there's very little financial risk of adding more cases to the list.

* https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova...olved-crimes-cold-cases-nova-scotia-1.5437685

 

[RandyMcDonald]

If we assume the only people present were mum , stepdad and 3 children, one whom is too young to be considered a witness in any court .

If both those adults are implicit, obviously even an alleged break up is not testing loyalties. And if only one is aware of what happened, well that person only has to remain silent and the reward will remain un claimed .

I know we have discussed before that Canadian LE and the media tend to not engage in a circus type spectacle as we witness in other countries. But I am suspicious of a number of key players remaining anonymous and silent. Not one appeal on key milestones or interview with relatives saying they miss the kids or how much work is being done or a representative giving a media conference and fielding questions.

Prehaps I'm so used to this type of pathway to finding missing children that it seems alien to me that a parent wouldn't utilise the media to help raise awareness of their child's case . It's like they want the public to lose interest and for it to disappear from public consciousness imo

I think it is really important to avoid the potential fallacy of assuming that the way one would react to a situation is the only normal way. We have no idea what other factors could be at play here. The mother might plausibly be paralyzed with guilt and mentally not capable of withstanding the press, for instance. Expecting that perhaps atypical differences must be a marker of guilt is a mistake, IMO.

 

[RandyMcDonald]

Other children have not been found but they have not been added to the reward programme for a 'just in case" reason .

I get that in Dylans missing child case his boots were found beside a brook but just because his boots were found beside water doesn't mean he drowned. They is a possibility no matter how slim that they were placed there in order to mislead any investigation . This is why his father , I assume is questioning why not offer the reward for his child .

The likelihood is that Dylan Ehler's disappearance is most parismoniously explained as a tragic accident. Bolting is a common thing done by children with autism, these being particularly attracted to water. His boots were found in a stream just a shirt distance from his grandmother's home, one which fed directly into a fast-moving stream that exits into a Bay of Fundy that has some of the most extreme tides in the world. If Dylan's body was not found, it is most plausible because it was destroyed by the forces involved.

There is no such obvious set of clues or danger factor operating for Jack and Lily. They both have autism, true, but the only obvious danger are the sense and tangled woods surrounding their home. There have only been ambiguous signs, footprints plausibly theirs and a price of blanket, indicating what might have happened.