A newly released video of missing boy Gus Lamont may hold a fresh clue about the four-year-old’s mysterious disappearance.
Grief-stricken parents Josh Lamont and Jessica Murray broke their silence this week, almost five months to the day since their little boy vanished without a trace from his grandparents’ 60,000ha Oak Park Station near Yunta in South Australia’s Mid North.
SA Police released an emotional appeal on behalf of the pair on Tuesday, along with a rare new photo of curly-haired Gus in a car with a dog and a video of the barefoot toddler riding a bike on a rural property at sunset.
Until now, detectives had only released one photo of Gus wearing a Peppa Pig T-shirt and an image of the Minions top that he was last seen wearing.
Police confirmed to Daily Mail that the wide-brimmed grey hat with a black band that Gus was wearing in the new video is one of the items they are hoping to find as their widespread search for the boy prepares to enter its sixth month on Friday.
It’s understood that Gus was wearing the same hat when he disappeared while playing at his grandparents’ property on September 27.
There is no further update on the investigation.
Despite SA Police launching its largest search operation in the state’s history, no trace of Gus has been found.
Police confirmed they are searching for Gus’s hat captured in a newly released video
In a video released by police on behalf of his parents this week, Gus is seen barefoot and in a wide-brimmed ha while riding a bike
Gus’s parents had never commented publicly about his disappearance – until this week.
‘We are united in our grief, and we are united in our search for answers about what happened to our little boy, Gus, who means everything to us,’ their statement read.
‘Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable. We know someone out there may have information.
‘If someone knows what happened, we are pleading with that person – or anyone who may have seen or heard anything – to please come forward. Even the smallest detail could give us the answers we so desperately need.’
The parents also shared their gratitude to the hundreds of workers and volunteers searching for their little boy.
‘We also want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the search for Gus,’ they said.
‘The tireless efforts of police, emergency services, ADF personnel, volunteers, and specialists have meant more to us than we can ever say.
‘To the friends, family and supporters who have shown such compassion, concern, and assistance during this heartbreaking time: thank you.
Gus’ parents also shared a new photo of the missing four-year-old (pictured)
Gus Lamont, four, who vanished on September 27, is now believed to be dead
‘Your kindness has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives. All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy.’
Detectives previously stressed that Gus’s parents had been completely ruled out as possible suspects in his disappearance and confirmed they were cooperating with the investigation.
Daily Mail previously revealed the couple had separated before Gus vanished, with Ms Murray and her newborn son, Ronnie, living with her parents, Shannon and Josie Murray, on the remote station.
Mr Lamont had moved into a ramshackle farmhouse which he was renovating in Belalie North, near Jamestown, 130km west of the Murrays’ station.
A family friend told Daily Mail their relationship broke down shortly after Ronnie’s birth, but before Gus disappeared.
‘I haven’t seen Josh since it (Gus’ disappearance) happened, and I don’t know where he is now,’ they said.
‘But they weren’t together when it happened.’
The news comes just days after a renewed search scoured the outback property for clues on Gus’ whereabouts.
A cadaver dog, a police helicopter, and Taskforce Horizon detectives converged on Bullyaninnie Station near Oodla Wirra on February 16.
Jessica Murray (left) and Joshua Lamont (right) have made their first public statement about their missing son, Gus Lamont
A NSW Police cadaver dog, brought in from interstate, scoured Bullyaninnie (above) earlier this month as part of a renewed search for Gus
The effort focused on an outhouse, an area of freshly poured concrete and a ditch filled with abandoned cars.
Gus’ grandparents, Shannon and Josie, oversee that station as well as their own neighbouring Oak Park Station near Yunta, where the four-year-old vanished.
Police scoured Bullyaninnie in the latest renewed searches for evidence relating to Gus’ disappearance after it became clear the Murrays had access to the estate.
With their property empire – which might one day have become Gus’ – now known to be much larger than just Oak Park Station, the search area widened considerably.
The new police search did not yield any evidence relating to the missing child, but police have vowed to maintain a presence in the area in pursuit of finding Gus’ fate.
They have also zeroed in on the Pualco Conservation Park, which borders Murray family land.
Detectives launched the hunt on Bullyaninnie on the day they charged Josie Murray with firearms offences on February 16, which are said to be unrelated to Gus’ disappearance.
Police allege she possessed a prohibited firearm sound suppressor, also known as a silencer, and will face Peterborough Magistrates Court on May 6.
The charges came after police declared Gus’ disappearance a major crime on February 5, after finding no evidence that the youngster had simply wandered off into the outback before dinner.
Gus was reportedly last seen by Shannon, playing in a sandpile at Oak Park around 5pm on AFL Grand Final day, but when she went to call him inside, he was gone.
Police seized a vehicle, a motorbike and electronic goods from Oak Park Station in January.
Up to two members of Gus’ family have now stopped cooperating with police.
Investigators believe Gus is dead, possibly accidentally, and detectives have a suspect who may have been involved in his death.
However detectives stressed they have completely ruled out Gus’ parents, Jessica Murray and Joshua Lamont, as possible suspects.
Police said they had found ‘inconsistencies’ in statement details and the timeline provided by some family members.
Shannon Murray (above) is believed to oversee Bullyaninnie Station alongside her partner, Josie
Josie and Shannon have since retained separate lawyers, which is not unusual in these circumstances.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens earlier vowed to continue to investigate the death and said police would launch renewed searches in the area.
‘Adjoining properties including the national park will in all likelihood be a part of our investigations as we move forward,’ he said.
‘We’ll use every resource available to us if it will contribute to solving the disappearance of Gus Lamont.
‘I think it’s reasonably foreseeable that we will be visiting Oak Park quite frequently over the coming months as we continue our investigation, as well as visiting surrounding locations in the vicinity of the residence.’
