Police have returned to the remote Oak Valley Station to continue investigations into the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont.
Officers attached to Task Force Horizon will search several locations on the property today for evidence in the case.
‘An update will be provided as the investigations continue,’ South Australia police confirmed in a statement.
The task force have already conducted several searches for Gus, including using cadaver dogs to search a water tank, a freshly cemented outhouse and properties near his grandparents’ station which he vanished from on September 27 last year.
Despite the largest police search operation in the state’s history, no trace of him has been found.
On February 5, police announced they believed Gus was dead, declared his disappearance as a major crime, and revealed they had identified a suspect within his family.
They later confirmed they’ found ‘inconsistencies’ in statement details and the timeline provided by some family members.
Detectives previously stressed that Gus’ parents had been completely ruled out as possible suspects in his disappearance and confirmed they were cooperating with the investigation.
Josie and Shannon Murray hired separate lawyers after police said a family member ‘who resides at Oak Park Station’ is considered a suspect
Gus’ grandparents, Shannon and Josie Murray, later retained separate lawyers which is not unusual in these circumstances.
The couple said they were ‘devastated’ by the police announcement and insisted they were still cooperating with the investigation.
No arrests have been made or charges laid over Gus’ disappearance.
In November, a search of six uncovered and unfenced mine shafts located between 5.5km and 12km from the homestead lasted three days.
‘The inspection of the mine shafts … did not locate any evidence to assist in the investigation into Gus’ disappearance,’ a police statement said.
‘Several of the shafts were relatively shallow and could be visually inspected but the remainder were up to 20 metres deep and specialised equipment was required to complete the searches.’
Before that, authorities drained a dam in late October, ruling out the possibility Gus had drowned.
More to come.
CRE: DAILYMAIL