A 4-YEAR-OLD BOY VANISHED FROM HIS FAMILY’S REMOTE HOME — MONTHS LATER, POLICE NAMED A SUSPECT KNOWN TO HIM

August “Gus” Lamont disappeared from his family’s remote sheep station in South Australia in September 2025. Now, investigators say someone who lived at the property is a suspect — but Gus has still not been found.

A CHILD DISAPPEARS WITHOUT A TRACE

Four-year-old August “Gus” Lamont was last seen on Sept. 27, 2025, at Oak Park Station, a remote sheep property about 40 kilometres south of Yunta in South Australia.

According to police, Gus had been playing in sand near the family property when he disappeared. His family reported him missing, triggering a huge search involving police, State Emergency Service volunteers, community members, aircraft and specialist search teams. 

But despite one of the most extensive searches in South Australia, there has been no confirmed trace of the little boy.

POLICE DECLARE THE CASE A MAJOR CRIME

Months after Gus vanished, South Australia Police announced a major development.

Investigators said a person who had been living at Oak Park Station had stopped cooperating with the investigation and was now considered a suspect in Gus’ disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said police believed the person was known to Gus.

Authorities also stressed that Gus’ parents were not suspects. Police said the investigation had uncovered inconsistencies and discrepancies involving timelines and accounts of what happened at the property.

Police later searched the property under warrant and seized several items, including a vehicle, motorcycle and electronic devices. Those items were being subjected to forensic examination.

THE SEARCH HAS BEEN RELENTLESS

Investigators have searched the vast property and surrounding areas, including six mine shafts within roughly a 10-kilometre radius of the homestead.

Authorities have also reviewed hundreds of people who were believed to have been in or around Oak Park Station when Gus disappeared.

By March 2026, police said more than 500 people had been identified as potentially being in the area at the time.

Yet Gus remained missing.

In May, police conducted another three-day search of Oak Park Station. Investigators said the operation did not uncover additional evidence relating to his disappearance, although they continued to investigate and said they would not give up.

QUESTIONS STILL SURROUND THAT SEPTEMBER DAY

The disappearance has left investigators facing a central question: what happened to Gus after he was last seen playing outside his family’s remote home?

The enormous property and isolated landscape made the initial search especially challenging.

Police initially treated the case as a missing-child investigation, throwing significant resources into locating Gus. Months later, the declaration of a major crime marked a dramatic shift in the investigation.

Still, authorities have not publicly disclosed what they believe happened to Gus or why the person now considered a suspect allegedly became involved.

GUS HAS STILL NOT BEEN FOUND

More than a year after his disappearance, Gus’ whereabouts remain unknown.

His family has continued to endure an agonizing wait for answers, while investigators work through evidence and information gathered during the lengthy investigation.

Police have repeatedly urged anyone with relevant information to come forward, even if they believe the information may seem insignificant.

For now, the biggest question remains unanswered:

Where is little Gus Lamont — and what happened to him after he disappeared from Oak Park Station?

The investigation remains ongoing, and being identified as a suspect does not mean a person has been charged or found guilty of any offence.