When investigators working on the Gus Lamont search learned of several old mineshafts on the remote sheep station he disappeared from, there was a glimmer of hope the missing boy would finally be found.
But heartbreakingly, SA Police have confirmed the latest search failed to find any evidence that could help their investigation.
“Several of the shafts were relatively shallow and could be visually inspected but the remainder were up to 20m deep and specialised equipment was required to complete the searches,” SA Police said in a statement.
“The family of Gus have been advised of the results of the renewed searching and are being supported by a victim contact officer.”
This fourth search of the remote property owned by Gus’s grandparents near Yunta, SA, was conducted over a three day period and focused on six old mineshafts identified between 5.5km and 12km from the homestead Gus was last seen at on the evening of September 27.
While SA Police could not reveal specific details of the search to Woman’s Day, they have not ruled out returning to the 60,000-hectare property for further searches as the investigation continues under Task Force Horizon.
“We are determined to explore every avenue in an effort to locate Gus Lamont and provide some closure for his family,” SA Police Deputy Commissioner, Linda Williams, said in a statement.
“These searches will either locate evidence or eliminate these locations from further investigations by the Task Force.”
The six uncovered and unfenced shafts that will be searched lie between 5.5km and 12km from the homestead where Gus was last seen by his grandmother on the evening of September 27.
AREA KNOWN FOR WOMBAT HOLES
Previously, SA Police conducted “extensive” ground searches on the 60,000-hectare property in the hopes of finding the little boy to bring closure to his family – however these searches have returned no trace of Gus anywhere.
To date, 95-square kilometres of the property has been searched by foot while a further 470-square kilometres has been searched by mounted units and Polair. SA Police also previously drained a dam close to the homestead, to eliminate the theory that Gus could’ve drowned.
Reacting to the news on social media, many users are surprised that Police were not aware of the mineshafts on the property.
“They had to know there were mineshafts,” one user commented. “It’s been mentioned by South Australians in the comments section of most news outlet social media pages since the start of this investigation.”
The Director of the Australian Missing Persons Register, Nicole Morris, previously told Woman’s Day Gus could have fallen into a wombat hole, or, possibly a mineshaft.
“A tracker that I have spoken to said it could have been a wombat hole – the area is not well known for them but there are wombats in South Australia,” she shared.
“Gus could have fallen into some sort of undetectable space.”
NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY
As SA Police continue the search for the “shy but adventurous” four-year-old boy, Deputy Commissioner Williams says they will continue to look at all locations of interest to try and locate Gus.
She also confirmed Task Force Horizon are conducting multiple lines of inquiry, which have not returned any evidence of foul play.
While Gus’ heartbroken family wait desperately for answers, they are being supported by a victim contact officer and their local community in Yunta.
A few days after Gus disappeared, family friend Bill Harbison delivered a statement on behalf of Gus’ devastated loved ones.
“This has come to a shock to our family and friends, and we are struggling to comprehend what has happened,” he said.
“Gus’ absence is felt in all of us, and we miss him more than words can express. Our hearts are aching, and we are holding onto hope that he will be found and returned to us safely.”
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