Police Name Suspect in Disappearance of 4-Year-Old Gus Lamont – Outback Mystery Deepens

South Australian police have declared the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont a major crime and publicly identified a suspect, marking the most dramatic turn in the case since the boy vanished from the remote Oak Park homestead south of Yunta on September 27, 2025.

Gus was last seen playing outside the family property while his grandmother looked after his younger brother indoors. Within hours, alarm was raised and one of the state’s largest-ever search operations swung into action. Hundreds of police officers, State Emergency Service volunteers, Indigenous trackers, drones, helicopters, and ground teams scoured more than 470 square kilometres of harsh outback terrain—rugged hills, sparse vegetation, scorching heat, and dry creek beds. Despite exhaustive efforts, no significant trace of the child has ever been located.

The sole physical clue remains a single small footprint discovered approximately 500 metres from the homestead. No clothing, toys, or other belongings belonging to Gus have been recovered.

Detective Superintendent Des Fielke, leading the investigation, emphasised that police hold a “high level of confidence” that Gus did not simply wander off into the outback. “Ground searches and aerial searches have failed to locate Gus or any items belonging to him,” Fielke stated. “We have found no evidence, physical or otherwise, to suggest that Gus merely wandered off from the Oak Park homestead.”

Investigators have conducted eight separate searches of the property itself. Dams on the land were drained on one occasion to allow police divers full access; both dams and all outbuildings, sheds, and the homestead have been forensically examined multiple times. “No stone is being left unturned,” Fielke assured the public.

Behind the scenes, detectives have been analysing evidence and conducting interviews, leading to the identification of a suspect and the escalation to a major crime declaration. Police have previously noted “inconsistencies and discrepancies” in accounts provided by family members, though no charges have yet been laid and the investigation remains active.

The tiny outback community of Yunta—home to fewer than 100 residents—has been gripped by grief, disbelief, and quiet solidarity since Gus vanished. Yellow ribbons still flutter on fences, and locals continue to hold out hope amid the uncertainty. The naming of a suspect has sent fresh shockwaves through the region and renewed national attention on the case.

Police stress that the focus remains squarely on locating Gus and returning him safely to his parents. “We are all focused and determined to locate Gus,” Fielke said. “Nothing is off the table. We will continue to thoroughly and meticulously investigate until we get an outcome.”

Further updates will be released as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or South Australia Police.

A recent police media image showing the vast, rugged outback landscape south of Yunta where extensive searches took place.

Search teams, drones, and helicopters combing the dry, hilly terrain during the massive operation for missing Gus Lamont.

The remote Oak Park homestead near Yunta, focal point of the investigation and repeated forensic searches.

Community members in Yunta gathered in quiet support, with yellow ribbons and messages of hope tied to fences.