The mystery surrounding missing four-year-old Gus Lamont has deepened as a shocking new theory emerged from searchers who spent days scouring the South Australian outback.
Despite a massive operation and hopes raised by a possible footprint, investigators have now admitted that no tangible trace of the child has been found.
Gus has been missing since the afternoon of September 27 while playing outside his grandparents’ homestead.
Searchers are now questioning whether Gus was on the property
Image credits: South Australia Police
Among those who joined the search for Gus was ex–State Emergency Service member Jason O’Connell, who, along with his partner Jen, scoured tirelessly across the harsh terrain.
For days, the pair swept the property using high-powered lights. They also listened for birds or foxes that might have indicated distress.
Image credits: South Australia Police
After more than 90 hours of searching, O’Connell shared an alarming conclusion. He no longer believes Gus is on the homestead at all, according to The U.S. Sun.
“He’s not on that property,” he told local outlets. “If he was in a bad way or if he passed away, we’d listen for foxes … look for birds of prey. No birds of prey means he’s not there.”
Image credits: South Australia Police
The revelation has cast doubt on what many had believed to be a breakthrough. Just a few days ago, an alleged child-sized footprint was found in the sand about 500 meters from the home.
Speculations then suggested that the footprint might have belonged to Gus, since it seemed to match the pattern of the boots he was wearing when he disappeared.
Image credits: South Australia Police
That single footprint had offered a glimmer of hope to search teams and family alike, since it seemed to suggest that Gus might just be around the property. Police, however, have now confirmed they no longer consider the footprint a “tangible piece of evidence.”
Police have shifted their focus as hope fades for the missing boy
Image credits: South Australia Police
South Australian Police Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott has previously announced that after days of exhaustive searching, efforts have now transitioned from rescue to recovery.
“Senior police spoke to Gus’ family and prepared them for the fact that Gus may not have survived due to the passage of time, his age, and the nature of the terrain,” he said.
Image credits: blaznup1
Authorities stated that despite deploying helicopters, drones, and ground teams, no trace of Gus has been recovered.
At its height, the search involved more than 100 people. Searches were done daily, combing through rugged outback land about 24 miles south of Yunta, northeast of Adelaide.
Image credits: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
“While those involved in the search have been hoping for a miracle, over the past 48 hours, the search has shifted to a recovery operation. We are confident that we have done all we can to locate Gus within the search area.
“At this point, no trace of Gus has been located. No tangible pieces of evidence, such as footprints, a hat or clothing, have been located to identify any direction of travel to assist searchers,” the Assistant Commissioner stated.
Image credits: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
The Australian Defense Force, which initially joined the effort, has since stood down. Police vehicles have also started pulling back from the isolated property.
Family, locals, and authorities are refusing to give up hope
Image credits: South Australia Police
Gus disappeared on September 27 while playing outside his grandparents’ homestead. His grandmother last saw him around 5 p.m., standing on a dirt mound.
Within thirty minutes, he was gone. He was last seen wearing a gray broad-brimmed hat, a blue Minions shirt, light gray pants, and boots.
Image credits: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
Family friend Bill Harbison released a statement on behalf of the Lamont family.
“This has come as a shock to our family and friends, and we are struggling to comprehend what has happened,” he said.
Image credits: South Australia Police
“Gus’s absence is felt in all of us, and we miss him more than words can express.
“Our hearts are aching, and we are holding onto hope that he will be found and returned to us safely.”
Image credits: SA Police News / YouTube
Locals have suggested the boy may have stumbled into one of the region’s many abandoned mine shafts or wells, some of which are more than a century old and practically invisible in the rocky terrain.
Assistant Commissioner Parrott, for his part, stressed that police are not giving up on the search for Gus just yet.
Image credits: 7NEWS Australia / YouTube
“We will continue to pursue ongoing lines of inquiry.
“We will not rest until we can try and find the answer to why Gus has gone missing, and hopefully, for the family, return him to them,” he said.
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