A criminologist has warned the person of interest in the disappearance of Gus Lamont is a “very long way” from being found guilty.
South Australia police announced on Thursday that someone who lived with the four-year-old at Oak Park station is now considered a suspect in a “major crime”.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke confirmed as part of the more than four month long investigation, authorities no longer believed Gus was alive.
Gus was last seen playing outside his family’s homestead in Oak Park in South Australia’s Mid North about 5pm on September 27.
When his grandmother attempted to call him inside roughly half an hour later, the child had disappeared.
Central Queensland University criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett warned the person of interest in the disappearance of Gus Lamont is a “very long way” from being found guilty. Picture: SAPOL/Sky News
Gus Lamont has been missing for more than four months. Picture: Tim Joy / NCA
Detective Superintendent Fielke said officers attached to the case “identified a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies” from family members who were at the property at the time.
He then revealed a person who resides at Oak Park had withdrawn their support for police and was no longer cooperating with the investigation.
Gus’ parents are not suspects in his disappearance, Detective Superintendent Fielke confirmed.
Central Queensland University criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett warned that while detectives are likely to increase pressure on the suspect, it could take a significant amount of time before they have enough evidence to formally charge them.
“That person they’ve stated was initially working with the police and offering information, and they made clear in that press conference that not all of that information appeared to line up,” she told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
“There were a number of inconsistencies, as they described them. So they will continue to speak to them and other members of the family to really try and bulk out that picture.
“But they will keep pressure up. They do believe they have a suspect in mind. They will keep working towards charging that individual, but we’re a very long way from anyone being found guilty at this stage.”
Searches for Gus stretched across rugged terrain surrounding the homestead, with officers examining mineshafts, paddocks and nearby bushland.
Detective Superintendent Fielke said officers attached to the case “identified a number of inconsistencies” from family members who were at the property at the time. Picture: Tim Joy/News Corp Australia
In November, specialist teams spent more than 10 hours inspecting six open mineshafts on the property.
Police later confirmed a boot print discovered during earlier searches was unrelated to the case.
Dr Mallett stressed that police are still working to piece together the events surrounding Gus’s disappearance, even after more than four months of investigation.
“They did conduct a search at the property a few weeks ago. They took a number of items for forensic evaluation, including some electronic devices,” she added.
“They will continue interviewing people in the area. They will keep building their case. No charges have been laid yet, but they were very clear that they do have a suspect in mind.
“Officers did make a call to the public as part of that press conference, if anyone knows anything. If they have any information, they are still collating that.
“So please do come forward, because they really are still building that picture as to what happened to Gus on that day in September.”
Anyone with any information on Gus Lamont’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online via the website.
