Source : Perth Now news
Police have renewed their search of the remote South Australian property where Gus Lamont was last seen, hoping recent rainfall will bring new “opportunities” in their search for the little boy.
The four-year-old was last seen at his family’s 148,000-acre property Oak Park Station – near Yunta, north-east of Adelaide – on September 27.
Rain records show the area received a brief soaking on May 16 and 17, as well as intermittent showers throughout the second half of the month, prompting police to return to the property for the first time since March.
Police will be “investigating numerous locations on the property for evidence in the case” in the three-day search effort, according to a statement from SA Police on Tuesday morning.
“The searching will be conducted by Major Crime detectives and specialist STAR Group officers,” police said.
“The searching has resumed to take advantage of opportunities that may have arisen as a result of recent heavy rains on the property.”
Police said further updates would be provided “as investigations continue,” and urged anybody with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Investigators revealed in February that Gus’ disappearance was being treated as a major crime, and that someone known to the little boy – but not one of his parents – had been identified as a suspect.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said in March that two relatives of the young boy were “no longer cooperating” with investigators.
“We are still working with Gus’s mum and dad, and there are other members of the family who are no longer co-operating,” he said.
“We will be going back to the property – I can’t say when, I can’t say what the reasons will be, that’s entirely up to the task force – but the work is ongoing.”
Mr Stevens said there was “not one single piece of evidence” suggesting Gus had simply wandered off.
Gus’ parents Jessica Murray and Josh Lamont issued an emotional public plea in February, saying their lives had been “shattered” by the disappearance of their little boy.
“Every moment without him is unbearable,” they said.
“We know someone out there may have information. If someone knows what happened, we are pleading with that person – or anyone who may have seen or heard anything – to please come forward.
“All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy.”
Ms Murray and Gus’ biological grandmother Shannon Murray have both engaged lawyers as police continue to investigate the disappearance.
It is not unusual for potential witnesses to seek legal advice.
No arrests have been made or charges laid in relation to Gus’ disappearance.
“We are absolutely devastated by the media release of SAPOL Major Crime,” the grandparents said previously in a joint statement.
“The family has cooperated fully with the investigation and want nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad.”
Police have carried out numerous searches at Oak Park Station since Gus’ disappearance.
Officers have pumped 3.2 million litres of water out of a dam near the homestead on the property, searched mine shafts and water tanks, and sifted through dumping grounds filled with old machinery in previous search efforts.
Dozens of investigators have scoured the property’s rugged terrain with the support of helicopters, cadaver dogs, and Indigenous trackers.
