South Australia offers A$1 million reward in Gus Lamont case as parents make first video appeal
The South Australian government has offered an A$1 million reward for information about the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont, as his parents issued their first video appeal days before the first anniversary of his disappearance.
South Australia has offered an A$1 million reward (US$710,000) for information leading to a conviction over the disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont, and/or the recovery of his remains — matching the highest reward ever issued in the state for a missing person.
Premier Peter Malinauskas and Police Minister Michael Brown announced the reward on Wednesday, days before the first anniversary of his disappearance from Oak Park Station, about 40 kilometres south of Yunta, on 27 September last year.
The search was the largest missing-person operation in South Australian police history: 11 ground searches over 30 days, plus Polair, drone and aerial camera searches. Declared a major crime in February and run by Task Force Horizon, which believes Gus was unlikely to have wandered off or been abducted by a stranger; the focus is on a person known to him and a suspected death.
Parents Jess and Josh made their first video statement on Wednesday — his father’s first public words. “We are desperate to have him returned home to us and we are desperate for answers,” Josh said. “Someone knows what happened to Gus and may even know where he is.” Jess added: “Even if you are feeling scared or unsure, if you know anything at all, we are imploring you to help us.”
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said: “I would urge anyone with information that may help locate Gus or assist in the investigation into what happened to him to come forward. $1 million is a life changing amount of money for anyone who can assist in this investigation.”
Sources
- “A young boy vanished in the desert one year ago. Why are there still no clues?”, CNN, September 2026
- “$1.25 million reward offered for information on Gus Lamont”, 1News NZ, 23 September 2026
- “Missing boy Gus Lamont: parents’ emotional plea”, The Guardian, 23 September 2026
- “Gus Lamont’s parents release fresh statement”, 9News Australia, September 2026
- “Statement from the parents of missing boy Gus Lamont”, South Australia Police (official release), 23 September 2026
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