Oak Park Station, South Australia – Police have resumed a large-scale search for four-year-old Gus Lamont, focusing on areas of the family property, including an outhouse and a water tank, as the investigation enters its eighth month. The renewed effort comes as Gus’s 75-year-old grandmother, Josie Murray, has been charged with unrelated firearms offences, though authorities maintain the charges are not connected to the boy’s disappearance. The search for Gus Lamont continues to grip the small South Australian community, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his vanishing and the potential for foul play.
Gus was last seen playing on a mound of dirt at the Oak Park Station homestead on September 27, 2025. Despite extensive searches in the immediate aftermath, and several subsequent operations, his whereabouts remain unknown. The case has now been escalated to a major crime investigation, according to 1News, signaling a shift in the approach to the investigation.
Firearms Charges and the Ongoing Search
The arrest of Josie Murray on firearms charges, while officially unrelated to Gus’s disappearance, has added another layer of complexity to the case. Police confirmed the charges stem from a separate investigation and are not linked to either Gus’s vanishing or a previous incident in October 2025 involving media access to the property, as reported by 9News. Murray was bailed to appear in the Peterborough Magistrates Court on May 6, 2026.
Detectives had been in contact with a person closely connected to the household – not Gus’s parents – who initially cooperated with the investigation before allegedly “withdrawing cooperation.” This individual has since been identified as a suspect, according to police statements. The focus on the outhouse and water tank in the current search suggests investigators are meticulously examining all potential evidence on the expansive property.
A Community in Distress
The disappearance of Gus Lamont has deeply affected the local community. Oak Park Station, located approximately 43 kilometers south of Yunta, is a remote area, and the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Gus’s fate has created a climate of anxiety and speculation. The family, through their lawyers, released a statement expressing their devastation following the police’s February 6th announcement regarding the suspect, as detailed in the 9News report.
An ex-detective speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation suggested that police are likely “looking for a motive” as the search continues, indicating a belief that Gus’s disappearance was not accidental.
The Search Intensifies
South Australia Police have been conducting a systematic search of the Oak Park Station property, utilizing various resources and techniques. The renewed focus on the outhouse and water tank suggests investigators are exploring all possibilities, no matter how remote. The RNZ reports that police will continue to search for evidence and will provide updates as the investigation progresses.
The investigation is being hampered by the passage of time and the challenging terrain of the property. However, investigators remain committed to finding Gus and bringing closure to his family. The firearms charges against Josie Murray, while separate, have undoubtedly complicated the investigation and added to the emotional strain on those involved.
What’s Next in the Case
As of February 17, 2026, the search of Oak Park Station is ongoing. Police have not announced a specific timeline for the completion of the current phase of the investigation, but have pledged to provide updates as they grow available. Josie Murray is scheduled to appear in the Peterborough Magistrates Court on May 6, 2026, regarding the firearms charges. The court proceedings may offer further insight into the circumstances surrounding the charges and potentially shed light on the broader investigation into Gus Lamont’s disappearance.
The case remains a priority for South Australia Police, and investigators are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. The community continues to hold out hope for Gus’s safe return, while bracing for the possibility of a more tragic outcome.
What we have is a developing story. If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact the South Australia Police Department.
