$1 MILLION REWARD ANNOUNCED AS NEW ANOMALIES EMERGE IN THE SEARCH FOR MISSING GUS LAMONT

SOUTH AUSTRALIA — Nearly one year after four-year-old Gus Lamont disappeared from his family’s remote property, authorities have announced a reward of up to A$1 million for information that could finally reveal what happened to the little boy.

At the same time, investigators have revealed that a painstaking review of aerial imagery has uncovered several “anomalies” that could potentially lead to further searches.

But despite the new development, police have stressed that they are looking for facts and evidence — not speculation or conspiracy theories.

GUS DISAPPEARED FROM OAK PARK STATION

Gus disappeared from Oak Park Station near Yunta, in South Australia’s outback, on September 27, 2025.

The vast property immediately became the centre of one of the state’s largest and most intensive missing-child investigations.

Police, emergency personnel, volunteers, Aboriginal trackers, dogs, drones and aircraft were involved in extensive searches across the surrounding area.

South Australia Police say 11 ground searches were conducted over 30 days, while aerial operations covered a huge area around the property.

Yet Gus has never been found.

POLICE NOW OFFER A LIFE-CHANGING REWARD

As the first anniversary of Gus’s disappearance approaches, the South Australian government has announced a reward of up to A$1 million.

According to police, the reward is available for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Gus’s disappearance and/or the recovery of his remains.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the reward was intended to encourage anyone holding information — even someone who may be uncertain about its importance — to come forward.

The announcement was accompanied by an emotional video message from Gus’s parents, Josh Lamont and Jess Murray, who spoke publicly about their son for the first time.

“We miss Gus more than we can describe,” Josh said, according to ABC News.

“We are desperate to have him return home to us and we are desperate for answers.”

Jess urged anyone who knew anything about Gus’s disappearance to contact police.

She said that even the smallest detail could potentially help investigators.

NEW “ANOMALIES” FOUND IN AERIAL IMAGES

One of the most significant developments came from a renewed examination of aerial imagery.

Taskforce Horizon investigators carried out what Detective Superintendent Fielke described as a “painstaking, methodical, forensically detailed manual search” of imagery collected during previous operations.

The review was conducted in addition to earlier artificial-intelligence analysis.

Investigators identified several “anomalies” in the imagery.

Police have not publicly disclosed exactly what the anomalies are, and they have not said that they represent evidence of Gus.

However, the findings could potentially prompt investigators to return to parts of the property and conduct additional searches.

That means the latest discovery is being treated as a possible investigative lead — not confirmation of what happened to Gus.

POLICE RULE OUT SOME THEORIES

In the months following Gus’s disappearance, investigators considered a number of possibilities.

Police have previously investigated whether the little boy could have wandered away from the property or been abducted by an unknown person.

After extensive investigative work and repeated searches, Superintendent Fielke said police still had no evidence supporting either theory.

Instead, police continue to believe that someone known to Gus may have been involved.

Authorities have previously said that one of Gus’s grandparents is a suspect in the investigation. Police reiterated that position during the latest media conference but declined to provide further details.

Being identified by police as a suspect does not establish criminal responsibility, and no conviction has resulted from that allegation.

HIS PARENTS ARE STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS

Gus’s parents described the past year as the most devastating and inexplicable period of their lives.

Their son should have celebrated his fifth birthday during the time he has been missing.

His younger brother also celebrated his first birthday without him.

Jess described Gus as a beautiful, sweet and unique little boy who loved music, listening to stories and playing in nature.

Josh said the family remained desperate to know what happened.

The couple also thanked police, emergency workers, volunteers, members of the Australian Defence Force and community members who have taken part in the search.

DOZENS OF NEW CALLS AFTER THE REWARD

The A$1 million reward has already generated a response.

South Australia Police said that, following the announcement, 34 calls and two emails were received by Crime Stoppers.

A further nine calls had been received during the week before the announcement as media attention surrounding the anniversary increased.

Police said all reports were being assessed and would be investigated where appropriate.

Investigators are now urging anyone with genuine information to come forward.

Superintendent Fielke has also warned against people spreading unsupported theories, saying investigators need information that can actually move the case forward.

THE SEARCH IS NOT OVER

Almost 12 months after Gus vanished, the investigation remains open.

There is still no confirmed public explanation for what happened to him, and no remains have been recovered.

But the reward, the renewed public appeal and the discovery of anomalies in previously collected aerial imagery have given investigators new leads to assess.

For Gus’s family, however, the central question remains painfully simple:

Where is Gus Lamont — and what happened to him?

Police say they will continue investigating until they have answers.