ADF Launches New Taskforce in Renewed Effort to Locate Missing Gus

Gus was last seen about 5pm on Saturday, September 27 at his family’s homestead Oak Park Station in remote South Australia, about 40km south of Yunta.

The initial search effort was suspended earlier this month after an exhaustive six-day operation yielded no clues regarding Gus’s whereabouts.

Police have today resumed the search and launched Taskforce Horizon to investigate Gus’ disappearance.

Dozens of police and around 80 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personel are now socuring the remote terrain in SA’s mid-north.

South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens emphasized their commitment, stating that no effort would be spared in the quest to find Gus.

“We are dedicated to making sure we do everything we possibly can to bring Gus back to his family,” Stevens said.

The fresh search was not triggered by any new information, Stevens said.

He said police were returning to the property to extend their search following specialist advice.

“We are looking for up to two days but there will be a continual reassessment,” Stevens said.

“The resources that we’re deploying may change over time and the use of specialist drones will be another consideration as we move forward as well.”

The search area covered so far has been around 470 square kilometres.

Stevens emphasised the sheer magnitude of the search area and said it was like combing through “100 Adelaide CBDs”.

“We are searching in quite unusual terrain, it is a significant effort,” he said.

“We’re exhausting every opportunity to recover Gus.”

Taskforce Horizon consists of 12 specialists who will analyse information and suggest different areas to search.

The results from the thermal drone cameras were yet to be analysed but Stevens admitted police were not hopeful it would yield any information.

Stevens said the ongoing search will be coordinated “like any other police operation”.

He told reporters there is nothing to suggest foul play in Gus’ disappearance.

Police have received more than 150 Crime Stoppers tips since Gus went missing, but warn online speculation has been hurtful to Gus’ family.

His family have said in a statement they are “devastated” and “deeply distressed” by his disappearance.

“I would describe them as stoic,” Stevens added.

“But you can imagine just how they are feelings, without having Gus and without having answers to exactly where Gus is and what’s happened to him.

“This would be traumatic for any family.”