Police have resumed the search for four-year-old Gus Lamont in a key location in South Australia, several months after his disappearance.
Officers have returned to Oak Park Station south of Yunta on Wednesday in a fresh search for evidence.
A police spokesperson confirmed the team would be “searching several locations on the property for evidence in the case”.
Gus was last seen playing outside his family’s homestead in Oak Park in South Australia’s Mid North about 5pm on September 27.
Four-year-old Gus Lamont vanished from his family’s homestead about 40km south of Yunta on September 27. Picture: SAPOL
Last month, detectives and a NSW cadaver dog turned over new locations, including an outhouse with freshly laid cement, a water tank, and the yard of a neighbouring property.
However, no new traces of young Gus emerged during the two-day search.
At the time, detective superintendent Darren Fielke said it was still impossible to rule out that Gus was somewhere on the sprawling 60,000ha station when police first arrived at the property about five months ago.
The latest search comes after South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens sensationally claimed two members of the youngster’s family were “no longer co-operating” with investigators.
Mr Stevens told ABC Radio Adelaide last week: “As far as I’m aware, it is the status quo from the most recent reports.
He confirmed the investigation into the youngster’s disappearance remained a “top priority” for the force.
“The taskforce, which comprises over a dozen people, detectives, forensic specialists, will clearly be looking at any opportunity to provide closure to Gus’s mum and dad,” Mr Stevens said.
He said investigators had “all but ruled out Gus having wandered off”.
“There has not been one single piece of evidence that we have located during the searching exercise, the most extensive search I think arguably in the history of South Australia, that has given us any indication that he did wander off,” Mr Stevens said.
Police have previously stated that Gus’ parents are not suspects in his disappearance.
“All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy,” Gus’ parents recently said. Picture: South Australia Police
In February, the boy’s parents issued a heartbreaking new video and photograph of their son along with a statement regarding their search for answers.
“We are united in our grief, and we are united in our search for answers about what happened to our little boy, Gus, who means everything to us,” they wrote.
“Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable. 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.
“Even the smallest detail could give us the answers we so desperately need.”
They also expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in the search for Gus.
“The tireless efforts of police, emergency services, ADF personnel, volunteers, and specialists have meant more to us than we can ever say,” they said.
“To the friends, family and supporters who have shown such compassion, concern, and assistance during this heartbreaking time: thank you. Your kindness has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives.
“All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy.”
Police have returned to Oak Park Station to continue investigations into the disappearance of Gus. Picture: Brett Hartwig / NCA
Last month, police separately charged Gus’ 75-year-old grandparent Josie Murray with alleged firearm offences.
In a statement released through lawyers, Josie and Shannon Murray said the family had “cooperated fully” and wanted “nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad”.
“We are absolutely devastated by the media release of SAPOL Major Crime,” the statement read at the time.
“The family has co-operated fully with the investigation and want nothing more than to find Gus and reunite him with his mum and dad.”
There is no suggestion that Josie or Shannon were involved in Gus’ disappearance.
Gus was last seen playing in a mound of dirt outside the Oak Park homestead.
Police have not laid any charges relating to the four-year-old’s disappearance.
