Missing Children: Siblings Lily-6 and Jack-4 have been missing in rural Canada since May 2, 2024 – Full Timeline Here
Missing Siblings Gairloch Road, Lansdowne
Names: Lily Sullivan (age 6), Jack Sullivan (age 4)
Residence: Both children live with their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, and stepfather, Daniel Martell, on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
Disappearance: Six-year-old Lily Sullivan and her four-year-old brother, Jack, were reported missing around 10 a.m. on May 2, 2025, from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, located approximately 30 kilometres from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. According to their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, she woke that morning to the sound of the children playing in the next room. She briefly fell back asleep, but upon waking again and discovering they were no longer in the house, she immediately called 911.
Their stepfather, Daniel Martell, has been deeply involved in the search efforts. He described Lily and Jack as “awesome kids,” noting Jack’s love for bugs and dinosaurs, and how Lily, while fond of “girlie things,” often followed her brother’s lead. “They’re like best friends, not just brother and sister,” he said.
Family members have raised concerns about the possibility of abduction and have urged authorities to expand the search beyond the immediate area to include provincial borders and transportation hubs. Martell also noted that certain items found during the search, such as clothing and a water bottle, did not belong to either child.
Lily and Jack are members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation. In response to the case, Chief Michelle Glasgow publicly questioned the decision not to issue an Amber Alert and called for establishing a national alert system tailored to better respond to such emergencies.
Timeline: Disappearance of Lily and Jack Sullivan
Friday, May 2, 2025
-
10:00 a.m. – Six-year-old Lily Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan are reported missing from their rural home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, about 30 km from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
-
The children were last seen playing in the yard.
-
RCMP and emergency responders begin search efforts immediately, deploying ground crews and air support.
May 2–4, 2025
-
A massive multi-agency search is launched.
-
Over 160 trained searchers join, including RCMP, volunteer ground search and rescue teams, police dogs, drones, and helicopters.
-
Infrared technology is used to sweep the forested terrain surrounding the home.
-
The search area expands to approximately 4 square kilometers.
May 5, 2025
-
RCMP state that there is no evidence of foul play or abduction at this time.
-
An Amber Alert is not issued; a “vulnerable persons” alert is broadcast locally.
-
The community rallies in support — volunteers, food donations, and logistical support pour in.
May 6, 2025
-
Items are found during the search, including a child’s clothing and a water bottle.
-
The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, states these items do not belong to Lily or Jack, raising questions about their origin.
-
The children’s family urges the RCMP to expand the search across provincial borders and airports, suggesting a possible abduction.
May 7, 2025
-
The RCMP announced a scaling back of ground search operations, citing extensive coverage of the terrain and a lack of confirmed sightings. Press Conference
- Over six days, more than 160 trained volunteers participated daily in a large-scale effort that covered roughly four square kilometers of dense forest. Despite the use of helicopters, drones, infrared imaging, and police dogs, there have been no confirmed sightings of the missing children.
-
Investigation continues, but fewer searchers are deployed.
-
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police – RCMP stated there is no indication of foul play or abduction, and they believe Lily and Jack likely wandered away from their home. As a result, an Amber Alert was not issued; instead, alerts for vulnerable persons were circulated throughout Pictou County and surrounding areas.
- The RCMP emphasizes that the case remains open and active.
Sipekne’katik Chief & Council issued a statement
Community Notice re: Case of Jack & Lily Sullivan
From Sipekne’katik Chief & Council
We understand that people across Turtle Island are closely following the case of Jack (4) and Lily (6) Sullivan, who went missing on the morning of Friday, May 2, 2025, from Lansdowne Station in Pictou County.
Our Chief and Council, administration, and the entire community are united in our strong desire to see these children return home safely. Our thoughts are with them every moment until they are found.
Given the seriousness of this situation, we want to remind our community and the public that, regardless of personal feelings or speculations, our collective focus should remain on the children’s safety. Getting caught up in various narratives and assumptions can be easy, but we must prioritize ensuring Jack and Lily are found and returned to their loved ones.
We kindly ask our community to approach this sensitive situation with compassion and understanding. Please refrain from jumping to conclusions or sharing unverified information, as this can complicate the efforts of the multiple agencies involved in the ongoing investigation. Your cooperation and patience are invaluable during this time.
We encourage community members to come together to support one another. Every action counts, whether through sharing helpful information, providing emotional support, or participating in awareness efforts.
Let’s continue to keep Jack and Lily close in our hearts and minds as we navigate this challenging time together.
