🚨 “CAN NO LONGER BE HIDDEN”: Ex-Detective Gary Jubelin Confirms Police Now Suspect Foul Play in 4-Year-Old Gus Lamont’s Disappearance

The former lead detective in the William Tyrrell investigation has shared his thoughts on the search for four-year-old Gus in South Australia.

Augustus “Gus” Lamont was last seen playing in the sand at his family sheep station near the town of Yunta on September 27.

The search for the boy was scaled back on Tuesday after a massive 10-day effort involving helicopters, drones and Aboriginal trackers.

Mr Jubelin, the former lead detective in the William Tyrrell investigation, has shared his thoughts on the ongoing inquiry into Gus’ disappearance.

“Children disappearing at that age is a rare event,” he told Nine’s Today show on Wednesday.

Augustus “Gus” Lamont was last seen playing in the sand at his family sheep station near the town of Yunta on September 27. Picture: SA Police

The search for the boy was scaled back on Tuesday after a massive 10-day effort Picture: Tim Joy

“What police would be looking for is, has the disappearance been the result of wandering off, misadventure and getting lost, or is there some form of intervention involved in his disappearance?

“I’m heartened by the fact in the last media release by the deputy commissioner of South Australia Police, they said they’re running other lines of inquiries concurrently with the search for the missing person.”

The statement showed they were looking at “all options”, Mr Jubelin said.

“What they’ve got to establish is, has Gus disappeared through misadventure or is there some form of intervention?

“The fact that they’re doing that, I think (is) lessons perhaps learnt from the William Tyrrell investigation, where the whole focus was on finding the little boy lost.

“What I’m seeing now and what I’m reading between the lines of what South Australian Police (are doing), they’re looking at other possibilities that there was perhaps intervention. So it’s difficult for the families involved and even for the police.”

Former homicide squad detective Gary Jubelin believes police are investigating the possibility of foul play. Picture: Ted Lamb

The search for Gus has now been handed to the Missing Persons Section of South Australia Police. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

’They are real people’

Speaking to the Adelaide Advertiser, former neighbour and friend Alex Thomas said Gus’ family had been dealing with vicious and hateful comments about their son’s disappearance online.

“I really want to gently inform people about the realities of rural life and ask them for their compassion and understanding,” he told the outlet.

“Because this family – this gentle and loving family – they’re not headlines, they are not a spectacle.”

He reminded the public of the reality of the situation.

“They are real people who are hurting beyond belief,” he said.

Second footprint found — and dismissed

On Monday, officers returned to Oak Park Station where Gus was last seen after reports that another “small boot print” was found near a dam.

However, police have since dismissed the find, saying the print was not related to the search.

“A significant search was conducted around 5.5km west of the homestead after a small boot print was located,” Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams said.

“The print was found to be subsequently not related to Gus.”

Case turned over to Missing Persons Section

Commissioner Williams on Tuesday revealed the case had been moved to the Missing Persons Section.

“The investigation is now being managed by Missing Persons Section, which is part of Major Crime Investigation Branch, and that’s where all long-term cases such as this are managed and investigated,” Commissioner Williams said.

“We will never give up hope of finding Gus.

“There are further lines of enquiry being undertaken and the family have continued to co-operate with fully with police.

Police earlier deployed a special drone in the search, with Ms Williams confirming the “significant aerial search” involved a special drone with infra-red capabilities.

The search was conducted on Friday and Saturday.

“This is the same tech that was used in the search in Port Lincoln for the remains of (alleged murder victim) Julian Story,” she said.

“The results of that drone analysis are still being analysed. We hope to have those results in the coming weeks.”