Five months have passed since six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack Sullivan disappeared from their rural home in Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia. The siblings were last seen with family on May 1 and officially reported missing on the morning of May 2. Investigators continue to ask for anyone with information to contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
The Initial Disappearance
Lilly and Jack lived with their mother Malehya Brooks‑Murray, step-father Daniel Martell and their baby sister in a remote area along Gairloch Road in Pictou County. Wikipedia+2Global News+2
On May 1 the children were seen with family in public by surveillance footage. Newsweek+2Global News+2
The next morning the two were missing. The RCMP received the missing-persons report at 10:01 a.m. on May 2 and arrived at the location roughly 26 minutes later. Global News+1
Witnesses and the “Mystery Vehicle”
Some local witnesses reported hearing or possibly seeing a vehicle near the property the night before the children went missing. Given the isolated location and lack of other activity, the mention of a vehicle raised alarm bells among investigators and the public alike.
However, when investigators from the RCMP’s Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit reviewed the available surveillance footage, they found no evidence of vehicle activity in the key timeframe and area specified. Surveillance canvassing of hundreds of cameras yielded no matching vehicle-trail. rcmp-grc.gc.ca+2rcmp.ca+2
The fact that a vehicle witness account exists but is uncorroborated by video highlights both the challenge and complexity of the investigation.
The Investigation So Far
The RCMP has reviewed approximately 5,000 video files collected from the Lansdowne Station area. rcmp.ca+1
More than 600 tips have been received and over 60 individuals formally interviewed. Some of these interviews included polygraph examinations. rcmp.ca+1
Court documents show that initial polygraphs of the mother and the step-father indicated responses consistent with telling the truth. Newsweek
While the RCMP initially treated the case as a potential “wander and get lost” scenario, policing experts believe the nature of the inquiry has shifted toward a criminal investigation given the lack of clear evidence of the children’s presence in the environment. Global News
What the Vehicle “Hint” Could Mean
The mention of a vehicle is important because it introduces the possibility of third-party involvement — either inadvertent or deliberate — as opposed to purely the children wandering off. But since no matching vehicle track or surveillance record has been found, the line of inquiry remains open and speculative.
Investigators are still asking the public for any dash-cam footage, home-surveillance video, or mobile phone video taken along Gairloch Road between April 28 and May 2. CityNews Toronto+1
Why This Case Remains So Difficult
The terrain: The children’s home is surrounded by dense woods, steep banks, and brush. That environment complicates searches and reduces the likelihood of straightforward tracking. Wikipedia
The timeframe: The window between confirmed last sighting (May 1 afternoon) and missing-persons report (May 2 morning) leaves many unknowns.
Lack of clear evidence: Despite early large-scale search operations, no confirmed sightings of the children have emerged, no vehicle track has matched witness reports, and investigators say the case may now extend into “long-term” territory. Global News+1
The Family’s Story & Public Response
The children’s stepfather has passed a polygraph and maintains his innocence, publicly stating he is not a suspect. YouTube+1
The children’s grandmother has called for a public inquiry into how the investigation was handled and whether early warning signs were missed. Newsweek
Meanwhile, community groups, and the children’s First Nations community (the Mi’kmaq / Sipekne’katik) remain deeply concerned and supportive of efforts to find the children safe.
What Comes Next
Authorities emphasize that the investigation is very much still active. The RCMP has not ruled out any scenario and continues to gather evidence and review every tip. rcmp.ca+1
Because of the missing vehicle evidence, investigators say that if anyone has seen any vehicle — no matter how innocuous — in that area and timeframe, it could be significant.
The public is urged again: if you have dash-cam footage, home surveillance, or mobile phone video from Gairloch Rd. or nearby between April 28 and May 2 — especially the night of May 1 — please contact the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060, or anonymously via Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). rcmp.ca+1
In Summary
The disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan is one of Canada’s most worrisome missing-child mysteries of recent years. A mysterious, unverified vehicle sighting remains a tantalizing lead — but without video evidence or matching traces, it remains a chilling unanswered question. Until someone steps forward with relevant footage or information, the case remains unresolved — and the hope for these children’s safe return remains fragile but alive.
Sources:
“Court documents provide details on Lilly and Jack Sullivan case” – Global News. Global News
“Lilly and Jack Sullivan Update: Police Release New Information on Missing Children” – Newsweek. Newsweek
“Intensive investigation into disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues” – RCMP News Release. rcmp.ca
“Investigators seek additional video footage to advance missing children investigation” – RCMP. rcmp-grc.gc.ca
“New details on missing N.S. kids case emerge in court documents” – YourThunderBay. Your Thunder Bay
