Gary Jubelin’s reaction to huge Gus Lamont news
The former detective in the William Tyrrell case has spoken about how cops made their breakthrough in the months-long search for missing boy Gus Lamont.
A former homicide detective has given an insight on how investigators likely concluded that four-year-old Gus Lamont’s disappearance was not misadventure, as he urged the public to “step back” and to let police do their job.
The little boy mysteriously vanished from his family’s homestead on Oak Park Station in the town of Yunta, the state’s mid north on September 27, sparking large-scale searches.
In a significant update on Thursday, police declared the missing persons case a “major crime” and identified a suspect who was understood to be known to Gus.
Police also no longer believe the boy is alive, suggesting he was either killed deliberately or accidentally by someone he knew. No arrests or charges have been made.
Police suspect missing four-year-old Gus Lamont has died. Picture: SA Police
Speaking to news.com.au, Gary Jubelin, the former lead investigator in the William Tyrell case, said it is “clear” police had moved onto the next phase of the investigation.
“I think it’s best [for the public] not to speculate what’s been done. The police have kept the public informed. They will have a strategy and an investigation plan in place,” he said.
“One thing I learnt through William Tyrrell thing is that speculation and rumours can impact on a lot of people. I don’t think there’s need for this.
“I think we should put our trust in the South Australia Police. They’ve kept the public informed where they need to.
“Now, I think the best thing would be to step back and let police do their job. The investigation would be best served if we (don’t) speculate what happened to Gus and let’s wait and find out at the conclusion of the investigation.”
Former NSW homicide detective Gary Jubelin. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard
He was the lead cop in the case of missing boy William Tyrrell. Picture: NSW Police
Mr Jubelin declined to comment on the next steps of an investigation like this, but said the searches carried out by hundreds of police, defence personnel and volunteers in the four months since the disappearance ruled out the theory of misadventure.
“I think they would’ve analysed all the material gathered during the search, consulted with experts in various fields where they can say conclusively that Gus’ disappearance was a result of some sort of human intervention.”
The former homicide detective also referred to one expert who said a typical four-year-old could only manage to walk four kilometres at most before getting tired.
Search crews have scoured at least 94 square kilometres on foot, with no sign of the boy. Air surveillance with AI assistance also found no clues.
The boy vanished from his outback family home in late September. Picture: Tim Joy
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke on Thursday said they have suspect who was known to Gus. No arrests or charges have been made. Picture: Tim Joy
Bombshell development
Speaking on Thursday, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said there had been “discrepancies” and “inconsistencies” in the information provided by one of Gus’ loved ones.
At least one person residing at the property, which is more than four hours northeast of Adelaide, has since withdrawn their support and co-operation with police.
Det Supt Fielke indicated in the press conference that once a suspect has been determined, it can have “challenges”, which police are trying to work through.
“The person who has withdrawn their co-operation is now considered a suspect in the disappearance of Gus,” he said.
Investigators say neither of the four-year-old’s parents are the suspects.
“I can’t give you any more information about the suspect or where the suspect is and why that person is a suspect,” he continued.
“So, when we line (up) the information that we received from the family, against what we’ve been doing concurrently in relation to searching and the abduction possibility – all of that information has taken some time to get here, or to get to this point.”
The massive search area. Picture: SA Police
Police had spent weeks in eight separate air and land searches at the family home trying to find evidence or any sign of the boy.
The search area was the size of Adelaide city.
Hundreds of police, defence for personnel and volunteers scanned 94 square kilometres by foot, while more than 700 sqkm was explored by air with the assistance of AI software.
Police executed a search warrant last month and carried out a “comprehensive” forensic search. A car, motorbike and electronic devices were seized for examination.
Det Supt Fielke said he anticipates more searches of Oak Park Station and a nearby national park once investigators can obtain more information and intelligence.
“The disappearance of any child is tragic and distressing not just for Gus’ parents, but also the entire community sharing their grief,” he said.
“I can reassure the community that despite the complex and challenging nature of the investigation, Task Force Horizon will continue to thoroughly and meticulously investigate the disappearance of Gus until we get a resolution.
“We are all focused and determined to locate Gus and return him to his parents.’’
There have been many searches for the boy carried out by police, defence force personnel and volunteers. Picture: Tim Joy
A dam was drained and searched in October. Picture: Dean Martin
Gus’ family hire lawyers
The grandparents of the four-year-old boy have sought separate lawyers to represent them, according to The Advertiser.
Josie Murray has sought top Adelaide criminal lawyer Andrew Ey, while Shannon Murray has enlisted prominent city defence lawyer Casey Isaacs.
Mr Isaacs confirmed to the masthead he was acting for Gus’s biological grandmother Shannon.
“We have been co-operating but we won’t be commenting,” he said on Thursday.
It is not unusual for potential witnesses to seek legal advice.
There is no suggestion that Josie or Shannon Murray were involved in Gus’ disappearance.
Police talk to Josie Murray. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide
Two theories ruled out
Detectives have so far pursued three key theories in their search for Gus – two of which have now been ruled out.
One is that the four-year-old wandered off from Oak Park Station and got lost.
Supt Fielke said despite all efforts from those searching, there was “no evidence, physical or otherwise, to suggest that Gus has merely wandered off from the Park homestead”.
The other was that he was abducted by an unknown person from the family property.
Investigators do not believe Gus wandered off from his home. Picture: Tim Joy
Officers have spoken to all people who “present a risk profile associated with abduction or child offending”, the senior cop added.
“We have identified and spoken to neighbours and people who were or had been working on Oak Park Station or neighbouring properties around the time of Gus’s disappearance,” he said.
“We have identified people and vehicles in the vicinity of or travelling around the area of Oak Park station at the time of Gus’s disappearance. All of those people have been contacted and discounted.”