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The grandparents of missing four-year-old Gus Lamont have expressed their profound heartbreak following the recent escalation of his disappearance to a major crime investigation.
Authorities officially classified the case as a major crime yesterday, intensifying the search and investigation efforts.
Through their legal representatives, Josie and Shannon Murray, the boy’s grandparents, have released a heartfelt statement: “We are absolutely devastated by the announcement from the SAPOL Major Crime. Our family has been fully cooperating with the investigation and our greatest hope is to find Gus and reunite him with his parents.”
Their legal team also conveyed that the grandparents will refrain from making any further public comments at this time.
The lawyers also indicated Josie and Shannon Murray will not be making any further comments.
There is no suggestion Josie or Shannon Murray are involved in the disappearance of Gus and it is not unusual for anyone linked to an investigation to seek out legal advice.
Police yesterday said a person who has close ties to the household, who is not one of his parents, was speaking with detectives but then “withdrew co-operation” and is now considered a suspect. No arrests have been made.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke also revealed the investigation had centred on three theories: whether Gus was abducted; whether someone he knows was involved in his disappearance or suspected death; and whether he wandered off from Oak Park Station.
Fielke said detectives from Taskforce Horizon have a “high level of confidence” he did not wander off.
Investigators have also found no evidence to suggest Gus was abducted.
No evidence of Gus has been uncovered despite extensive searches of the property, which Fielke said has been the “largest and most intensive” missing person search ever undertaken by SA Police.
A full-scale ground and air search of the property and the surrounding area was launched after Gus went missing.
Officers returned to the area surrounding Oak Park Station to search for Gus’ remains on February 2, but uncovered no evidence.
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