CANADA Canada - Jack, 4 & Lilly Sullivan, 6, Vulnerable, wandered from home 10am, Gairloch Rd, Landsdowne Station, Pictou County, NS, 2 May 2025 #7

[Judy Sleuth]

The Globe simply said it was close to their home—did anyone find an exact location?

View attachment 614417
Google map image.

Pipeline trail highlighted in purple, train tracks in yellow.

The custom when driving here is to quickly slow down and make a wide pass when you see pedestrians or stopped cars on rural roads.

@Germany made a good point about the children the witness spotted being underdressed. She noted that someone from their school had made the same complaint about Lilly and Jack— Although my guess is that it’s not Lilly and Jack or else we would have heard more about it.

I’m wondering if seeing the train going by possibly drew Lilly and Jack. It passes by once a day, sounding its horn. They found some rags along with Lilly’s blanket. Maybe the idea was to wave at it?

Regarding the gold car children, didn't we have more detailed info earlier in this forum (probably an earlier thread) that the woman who saw them believed the girl to be about 9-10 years old and the boy to be around 7? I seem to recall that info then leading to further posts and discussion about differences in appearance based on age. I'm sorry that I don't know where that discussion occurred, but perhaps some of the sleuths who actually posted at that point can give us a post number?

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Regarding the gold car children, didn't we have more detailed info earlier in this forum (probably an earlier thread) that the woman who saw them believed the girl to be about 9-10 years old and the boy to be around 7? I seem to recall that info then leading to further posts and discussion about differences in appearance based on age. I'm sorry that I don't know where that discussion occurred, but perhaps some of the sleuths who actually posted at that point can give us a post number?

Warrants in Jack and Lilly Sullivan case raise questions but have few answers

If there are clues for finding Lilly and Jack Sullivan in the warrant documents, they’re redacted. If there’s hope, it can be taken from the extent and thoroughness they show of the efforts by RCMP investigators and search and rescue teams who have been seeking the two missing Pictou County...

www.saltwire.com

The pay locked article above says the witness saw them walking on Gairloch Road towards Westville between 9:30 and 10:00 am. So, northeast of the home, while the blanket and boot print were found in the opposite direction.

 

[su5ie]

The Globe simply said it was close to their home—did anyone find an exact location?

View attachment 614417
Google map image.

Pipeline trail highlighted in purple, train tracks in yellow.

The custom when driving here is to quickly slow down and make a wide pass when you see pedestrians or stopped cars on rural roads.

@FromGermany1 made a good point about the children the witness spotted being underdressed. She noted that someone from their school had made the same complaint about Lilly and Jack— Although my guess is that it’s not Lilly and Jack or else we would have heard more about it.

I’m wondering if seeing the train going by possibly drew Lilly and Jack. It passes by once a day, sounding its horn. They found some rags along with Lilly’s blanket. Maybe the idea was to wave at it?

Warrants in Jack and Lilly Sullivan case raise questions but have few answers

If there are clues for finding Lilly and Jack Sullivan in the warrant documents, they’re redacted. If there’s hope, it can be taken from the extent and thoroughness they show of the efforts by RCMP investigators and search and rescue teams who have been seeking the two missing Pictou County...

www.saltwire.com

The pay locked article above says the witness saw them walking on Gairloch Road towards Westville between 9:30 and 10:00 am. So, northeast of the home, while the blanket and boot print were found in the opposite direction.

Thank you so much @Lexiintoronto , I needed a visual to get a better perspective on distance and possible route.

From the map it would appear the children didnt cross the road if the bootprint is Lilly's. .

I've always wondered about the water areas in the recreational centre across the road and to the left of the property travelling less than a km from the home . I sincerely hope it was searched as it would be a place curious kids might have an interest in . It was closed to the public but previously it was used for fishing etc . Maybe DM could have still accessed it . I think he was interested in fishing

edited to add in the Saltaire article posted below by @Lexiintoronto , it states all waterways were searched in the area so assuming it also included searches here .


I'm also curious as to what lilly had in her backpack.


DMs other children are around 7 and 10 ,I had wondered if it was them that was seen possibly coming from DMs families home ( dad earle and other relatives )on landsdowne Rd and possibly getting into their maternal nanas sedan and because if it was that's why it wasn't redacted in the documents.

The two children seen walking on the road , would have to live in and around DMs family's homes . There is not loads of property in the area so I'm assuming if it was other kids they didn't come far being underdressed ,possibly down a driveway and into said waiting vehicle.

If the kids and the woman seen were eliminated would the description of what those kids were wearing not be redacted to protect identification. As I'm assuming anyone that came across them that day would know which kids were in the documents. Why is it necessary for the public to know what these other kids were wearing if they have been ruled out?

 

[katydid23]

<modsnipped- no source>

That first sighting doesn't sound as promising---I don't think Lily looks 9 or 10. I think both look kind of young and small for their ages actually. So IDK?

 

[su5ie]

<modsnipped- no source>

That first sighting doesn't sound as promising---I don't think Lily looks 9 or 10. I think both look kind of young and small for their ages actually. So IDK?

Yes you would really have to be unfamiliar with children to guess lillys age as 9 or 10 . The boys age was given closer to jacks age .

I wonder when lilly turned 6 , and how recent the photos that are in circulation are .

As it happens I have grandchildren aged 7 and 10 nearly 11 . Grant it they are boys but I have friends with 6 and 9 year old girls, height wise not a remarkable difference but there is a marked difference in how the 9 year old composes herself and from behind I would know from gait roughly how old a child is . But I'm used to seeing children of all age groups as I live practically next door to a primary school and co host a club for girls .

I must go back and check photos of lilly and jack that I have

 

[katydid23]

I wonder how tall Daniel is? She looks kind of tall actually here, but guess it depends upon if he is 5ft6 or 6ft1?

 

[MistyWaters]

<snipped> If the kids and the woman seen were eliminated would the description of what those kids were wearing not be redacted to protect identification. As I'm assuming anyone that came across them that day would know which kids were in the documents. Why is it necessary for the public to know what these other kids were wearing if they have been ruled out?

What gets redacted generally consists of any information that protect the integrity of the investigation and/or the privacy and confidentiality of unrelated people. The identity of the woman was not named and what the children were wearing isn’t considered private.

It’s not so much what is necessary for the public to know as if the RCMP has asked the public to solve the disappearance. That is not true, it’s merely information the RCMP has no cause to withhold. That’s why certain information is redacted, other is not. This wasn’t a public release by the RCMP, it was information contained in court documents that the media sought to have released of through the Freedom of Information Act. It gives us a brief glimpse of the workings inside of the investigation.
JMO

 

[Slebby]

Is it possible the 2 children spotted by the witness with the woman in the gold car were DM’s other 2 children? Perhaps they were scheduled to be dropped off that morning, but when they arrived they were turned away due to the urgency of the circumstances just unfolding with respect to the disappearance of L and J. Perhaps LE and the family kept their names and details out of it for reasons of privacy of minor children. Just a thought.

I ask this with no knowledge whatsoever of the ages or sex of DM’s other children.

IMO

 

[su5ie]

Is it possible the 2 children spotted by the witness with the woman in the gold car were DM’s other 2 children? Perhaps they were scheduled to be dropped off that morning, but when they arrived they were turned away due to the urgency of the circumstances just unfolding with respect to the disappearance of L and J. Perhaps LE and the family kept their names and details out of it for reasons of privacy of minor children. Just a thought.

I ask this with no knowledge whatsoever of the ages or sex of DM’s other children.

IMO

This thought crossed my mind as I do know what the kids look like , both are older than jack and lilly. One appears about 10 and other about 8

 

[Lexiintoronto]

“Jack Sullivan is described as a male, 3.5 ft in height, 40 lbs with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes. At the time of his disappearance Jack was believed to be wearing a pullup diaper, black Under Armour jogging pants and blue rubber boots with dinosaur print.


Lilly Sullivan is described as a female, 4 ft in height, 60 lbs with light brown hair and hazel eyes. At the time of her disappearance Lilly was believed to be wearing a pink Barbie top, pink rubber boots with rainbow print and carrying a cream coloured backpack with strawberry print.”

Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes | novascotia.ca

 

[Twistinginthewind]

The witness who said they saw 2 kids walking on the road that morning was identified as Natasha Haywood, and according to this article dated August 22, LE is still working on determining if the 2 kids she saw were Lilly and Jack (BBM):

Police court documents provide detail on Nova Scotia missing children case​

By The Canadian Press Aug 22, 2025 | 10:00 AM

https://www.ckom.com/2025/08/22/police-court-documents-provide-detail-on-nova-scotia-missing-children-case/

"The documents say police had received hundreds of tips in the case, including one from a witness who said she was travelling with her sons on the morning of May 2 and saw two children walking along the side of the road.

Natasha Haywood informed the RCMP on May 31. She described seeing a young girl holding a young boy’s hand — the boy had dirty blond hair and was wearing shorts, while the girl had darkish hair in pigtails and was wearing a tank top with blue strings. According to police, she said the children were walking toward a Caucasian female of about 50-60 years old with a “loose curl” haircut, who was waiting next to the passenger side of an older model tan or gold sedan with the backdoor open.

The documents say that in early June, police met with the witness near the corner of Gairloch Road and Lansdowne Station Road, where she mentioned having seen the children walking north towards Westville, N.S., and that the vehicle appeared to be waiting for them.

When she later met with police, Haywood said she thought the girl was around 9 or 10-years-old and the boy five-years-old, the documents say.

Investigators are working to find out if the children were indeed Jack and Lilly, the document noted."

 

[su5ie]

The witness who said they saw 2 kids walking on the road that morning was identified as Natasha Haywood, and according to this article dated August 22, LE is still working on determining if the 2 kids she saw were Lilly and Jack (BBM):

Police court documents provide detail on Nova Scotia missing children case​

By The Canadian Press Aug 22, 2025 | 10:00 AM

https://www.ckom.com/2025/08/22/police-court-documents-provide-detail-on-nova-scotia-missing-children-case/

"The documents say police had received hundreds of tips in the case, including one from a witness who said she was travelling with her sons on the morning of May 2 and saw two children walking along the side of the road.

Natasha Haywood informed the RCMP on May 31. She described seeing a young girl holding a young boy’s hand — the boy had dirty blond hair and was wearing shorts, while the girl had darkish hair in pigtails and was wearing a tank top with blue strings. According to police, she said the children were walking toward a Caucasian female of about 50-60 years old with a “loose curl” haircut, who was waiting next to the passenger side of an older model tan or gold sedan with the backdoor open.

The documents say that in early June, police met with the witness near the corner of Gairloch Road and Lansdowne Station Road, where she mentioned having seen the children walking north towards Westville, N.S., and that the vehicle appeared to be waiting for them.

When she later met with police, Haywood said she thought the girl was around 9 or 10-years-old and the boy five-years-old, the documents say.

Investigators are working to find out if the children were indeed Jack and Lilly, the document noted."

Wonder if investigators have had closure on this

 

[su5ie]

“Jack Sullivan is described as a male, 3.5 ft in height, 40 lbs with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes. At the time of his disappearance Jack was believed to be wearing a pullup diaper, black Under Armour jogging pants and blue rubber boots with dinosaur print.


Lilly Sullivan is described as a female, 4 ft in height, 60 lbs with light brown hair and hazel eyes. At the time of her disappearance Lilly was believed to be wearing a pink Barbie top, pink rubber boots with rainbow print and carrying a cream coloured backpack with strawberry print.”

Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes | novascotia.ca

I'm assuming the accuracy of the children's weight and height is because of a recent enough health check .

I was looking into witness testimonials and accuracy, strangely enough things like age ,race and height are generally accurate. As time progresses and witness accounts are given well after the fact ,accounts don't really change . Distance , time of day , and speed can alter accuracy. Colours are generally less accurate and colour of hair .

I do think the timing of the sighting is within the crucial period if janie heard the kids . She was on the phone to Ron her brother, at 8.48am heard the kids fell asleep and heard Daniel shouting for them , if the witness states she seen those kids between 9.30am and 10am . It could in all possibilities be them . Would the lady have seen the two children walking in that direction and stopped to let them in. What other children would be walking this stretch of road at that hour in clothing for warmer weather. Lilly could have changed .

I'm surprised there wasn't a bigger appeal for this vehicle if LE are still working on this . I'm sure there is other ways out of nova scotia than the toll pass . I wonder how common a tan or gold sedan is in nova scotia. Would it stand out or blend in .

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Yes you would really have to be unfamiliar with children to guess lillys age as 9 or 10 . The boys age was given closer to jacks age .

I wonder when lilly turned 6 , and how recent the photos that are in circulation are .

As it happens I have grandchildren aged 7 and 10 nearly 11 . Grant it they are boys but I have friends with 6 and 9 year old girls, height wise not a remarkable difference but there is a marked difference in how the 9 year old composes herself and from behind I would know from gait roughly how old a child is . But I'm used to seeing children of all age groups as I live practically next door to a primary school and co host a club for girls .

I must go back and check photos of lilly and jack that I have

This article says Lilly’s birthday was in March. Months after Nova Scotia children vanished, a clearer picture emerges of their lives before their disappearance

I’m guessing Jack’s birthday is close to Halloween based on the birthday cake video, imo.

 

[MistyWaters]

The RCMP may’ve still been working on it at the time one of the 12 subpoenas were requested for approval (traffic cam?) between May and July? But the court documents weren’t released until August so the information supporting the request might be out-dated.

Therefore it can’t be concluded the RCMP are currently working on this tip. It would be a display of utter incompetence IMO if the RCMP doesn’t know the identity of this woman and gold vehicle and they just don’t care,
JMO

 

[Twistinginthewind]

Lilly, LE said, stood at approximately 4 ft tall = 48 inches = 122 cm

The WHO average height for a 6 year 2 month old girl is:

116 > 128 cm
(1st to 99th percentiles):

https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/growth-reference-5-19-years/height-for-age-(5-19-years)/hfa-girls-5-19years-per.pdf?sfvrsn=d89b86f2_4

The average height in Canada for 7, 8, 9 and 10 year old girls are:

Average height, by age

7 years 2 months = 122 cm > 134 cm
8 years 2 months = 127 cm > 141 cm
9 years 2 months = 133 cm > 148 cm
10 years 2 months = 140 cm > 154 cm

Lilly's height, at 122 cm, is in the:

90th percentile for a 6 year old
60th percentile for a 7 year old
20th percentile for an 8 year old
5th percentile for a 9 year old
0th percentile for a 10 year old (i.e., her height is not listed for a percentile for this age).

The witness (Ms. Haywood driving nearby) thought the girl she saw walking with the boy was 9 or 10 years old (but one source IIRC said 8 years old, so including all years in the range here between Lilly and a 10 year old average Canadian school girl), that would be a delta (difference) of:

7 year old girl >> 122 - 134 cm = 0 - 4.5 inches taller
8 year old girl >> 127 - 141 cm = 2 - 7.5 inches taller
9 year old girl >> 133 - 148 cm = 4 - 10 inches taller
10 year old girl >> 140 - 154 cm = 7 - 12.5 inches taller

So depending on the eyesight at a distance and/or distance of the witness to the kids she saw walking along the side of the road that morning, and/or if they were wearing boots which may have added a few inches of height, and/or if the sun was shining or not affecting seeing clearly at a distance, and perhaps other factors, IMO, like memory/perspectives potentially shifting over time, it being weeks between the sighting and the witness giving their statement to LE, IIRC:

The older girl looked to the witness to be 2 inches (ETA: Minimum for an 8 year old >> 1st percentile or smallest) to 12.5 inches taller (ETA: Maximum for a 10 year old >> 99th percentile or tallest) -- based on national/world averages -- than Lilly actually was when she disappeared.

IMO, if it was Lilly and Jack who the witness saw that morning, estimating the height of a young girl at some distance walking along and it being within a few inches to a foot of the average ages estimated isn't that big of a discrepancy.

MOO

 

[su5ie]

Lilly, LE said, stood at approximately 4 ft tall = 48 inches = 122 cm

The WHO average height for a 6 year 2 month old girl is:

116 > 128 cm
(1st to 99th percentiles):

https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/growth-reference-5-19-years/height-for-age-(5-19-years)/hfa-girls-5-19years-per.pdf?sfvrsn=d89b86f2_4

The average height in Canada for 7, 8, 9 and 10 year old girls are:

Average height, by age

7 years 2 months = 122 cm > 134 cm
8 years 2 months = 127 cm > 141 cm
9 years 2 months = 133 cm > 148 cm
10 years 2 months = 140 cm > 154 cm

Lilly's height, at 122 cm, is in the:

90th percentile for a 6 year old
60th percentile for a 7 year old
20th percentile for an 8 year old
5th percentile for a 9 year old
0th percentile for a 10 year old (i.e., her height is not listed for a percentile for this age).

The witness (Ms. Haywood driving nearby) thought the girl she saw walking with the boy was 9 or 10 years old (but one source IIRC said 8 years old, so including all years in the range here between Lilly and a 10 year old average Canadian school girl), that would be a delta (difference) of:

7 year old girl >> 122 - 134 cm = 0 - 4.5 inches taller
8 year old girl >> 127 - 141 cm = 2 - 7.5 inches taller
9 year old girl >> 133 - 148 cm = 4 - 10 inches taller
10 year old girl >> 140 - 154 cm = 7 - 12.5 inches taller

So depending on the eyesight at a distance and/or distance of the witness to the kids she saw walking along the side of the road that morning, and/or if they were wearing boots which may have added a few inches of height, and/or if the sun was shining or not affecting seeing clearly at a distance, and perhaps other factors, IMO, like memory/perspectives potentially shifting over time, it being weeks between the sighting and the witness giving their statement to LE, IIRC:

The older girl looked to the witness to be 2 to 12.5 inches taller -- based on national/world averages -- than Lilly actually was when she disappeared.

IMO, if it was Lilly and Jack who the witness saw that morning, estimating the height of a young girl at some distance walking along and it being within a few inches to a foot of the average ages estimated isn't that big of a discrepancy.

MOO

I love your posts

I also looked into this angle re height averages and witness perception and it is not uncommon for witnesses to gauge height and age different from actual age particularly when travelling at a speed that differs from walking or from distance .

Here's my thoughts, it is mentioned that the witness was travelling with her two sons . Could she have easily gauged jacks age from association with boys and had difficulties gauging a girls age from height as she reared boys and particularly if she came from a family where girls were of a smaller than average height and if lilly was seen to be " minding jack " the witness may assume lilly was not only slightly older but by 2 / 3 years particularly walking along a main road . It would be very interesting to know if she seen the kids from behind or oncoming

It would seem peculiar that on a day when kids are meant to be in school that along the very road jack and lilly went missing from a woman observed 2 children, a younger male and older female with exact colouring of hair of both children for the sighting not to be afforded heavier weight than what appears to be nearly an afterthought in regards to allowing public / journalistic access

 

[Serononin]

I love your posts

I also looked into this angle re height averages and witness perception and it is not uncommon for witnesses to gauge height and age different from actual age particularly when travelling at a speed that differs from walking or from distance .

Here's my thoughts, it is mentioned that the witness was travelling with her two sons . Could she have easily gauged jacks age from association with boys and had difficulties gauging a girls age from height as she reared boys and particularly if she came from a family where girls were of a smaller than average height and if lilly was seen to be " minding jack " the witness may assume lilly was not only slightly older but by 2 / 3 years particularly walking along a main road . It would be very interesting to know if she seen the kids from behind or oncoming

It would seem peculiar that on a day when kids are meant to be in school that along the very road jack and lilly went missing from a woman observed 2 children, a younger male and older female with exact colouring of hair of both children for the sighting not to be afforded heavier weight than what appears to be nearly an afterthought in regards to allowing public / journalistic access

I wonder if the witness noticed the children's shoes at all? The boots the children were thought to be wearing both have quite eye-catching designs

 

[su5ie]

I wonder if the witness noticed the children's shoes at all? The boots the children were thought to be wearing both have quite eye-catching designs

This would have been the deal breaker so I would imagine she didn't take note or see them

 

[Twistinginthewind]

I love your posts

I also looked into this angle re height averages and witness perception and it is not uncommon for witnesses to gauge height and age different from actual age particularly when travelling at a speed that differs from walking or from distance .

Here's my thoughts, it is mentioned that the witness was travelling with her two sons . Could she have easily gauged jacks age from association with boys and had difficulties gauging a girls age from height as she reared boys and particularly if she came from a family where girls were of a smaller than average height and if lilly was seen to be " minding jack " the witness may assume lilly was not only slightly older but by 2 / 3 years particularly walking along a main road . It would be very interesting to know if she seen the kids from behind or oncoming

It would seem peculiar that on a day when kids are meant to be in school that along the very road jack and lilly went missing from a woman observed 2 children, a younger male and older female with exact colouring of hair of both children for the sighting not to be afforded heavier weight than what appears to be nearly an afterthought in regards to allowing public / journalistic access

Likewise on your posts!

I agree about the age estimates of the witness, and we don't even know if she said she was sure or if only when pressed, etc.

I've thought it's not beyond the realm of possibility all along that this sighting was Lilly and Jack. It has always seemed way too much of a coincidence to me, the sighting of 2 kids fitting their descriptions overall IMO, on the very day and around the very time on the very road by the property they disappeared from, to be "a nothingburger".

As far as the woman the witness said she saw standing next to the open back door of a goldish car as the girl & boy were approaching it IIRC, that's another kettle of fish, IMO.

There isn't any additional info on LE's pursuit of that potential lead thus far. However, at the point the witness gave their statement it was several weeks later, and their statement about the woman and car could still be being looked into by LE. So perhaps why no Amber Alert type of public warning BOTLOF for such a vehicle in response to an OP or two asking 'why not?'.
It was likely unvetted by LE at the time "it came out", it didn't "come out" willingly by LE AFAIK, it was from a FOIA request by media, so may never have come out if they were still unable to verify it and/or this type of vehicle wasn't seen on CCTV they're reviewed leaving the area. Even though that doesn't mean the goldish car if it had Lilly and Jack in it, couldn't have taken back roads even leading to a hiding spot in an old barn out in the middle of nowhere, etc. IMO.... so it may have gone nowhere.

As far as the clothing the witness said she saw them wearing (the girl in a blue tank top with ties/straps, the boy in shorts, IIRC), these outfits would appear to be (a) not what their parents said they were last seen wearing/had slept in, and (b) sounds like they were underdressed for temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit that morning:

Charlottetown, Canada Weather History | Weather Underground

If it was Lilly and Jack dressed that way, it could indicate they decided to get dressed for school and sneak out and walk towards town or get a ride there because they didn't want to stay home with sleepy parents another day and were bored and weren't that sick/their coughs were better, which has always seemed like a possibility as well, IMO, from the beginning. As far as being underdressed, IIRC their school said this had happened before, and if they were dressing for it getting warmer later in the day on a Spring day that didn't seem that cold to them, they could have been dressed like that.

I hope some more evidence will come to light soon on which way it is leaning for LE, if it is, if they were picked up by someone walking along the road (known or unknown to them) and it is just a matter of time for the to be found.

MOO