Topline: A boot print, hundreds of tips, but still no answers in puzzling case.
Published: June 10, 2025 8:30 am ET
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Lilly Sullivan, left, and her brother Jack Sullivan. (via MissingPeople.ca)
STELLARTON, N.S. – One month after Lilly and Jack Sullivan vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home, their community continues to search for answers.
The siblings, aged six and four, were reported missing on the morning of May 2 by their mother and stepfather, who told police the children had wandered away from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, about 30 kilometres from New Glasgow.
The heavily wooded, sparsely populated area has since been the focus of extensive search efforts.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay told Global News Canada that investigators are “using all tools and resources to determine the circumstances of their disappearance” and remain “fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack.”
The RCMP has confirmed that their major crime unit and forensic teams have been involved in the case from the outset. The search, initially expansive and involving helicopters, drones, K9 units, and more than 160 search personnel, was scaled back on May 7. However, targeted ground and underwater searches have continued in the surrounding area, CBC News reported.
The most recent organized search took place over the weekend beginning June 1, with crews again focusing on the Gairloch Road area and a nearby pipeline trail — where a child’s boot print was previously found. In total, 8.5 square kilometres have now been thoroughly searched. Despite more than 10,000 volunteer hours logged, over 50 interviews conducted, and hundreds of public tips reviewed, no trace of the children has been found, according to CBC News.
On Monday, June 2, about 50 residents gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the RCMP detachment in Stellarton, releasing two glowing paper lanterns into the evening sky — a gesture meant to symbolize hope for the children’s safe return.
Brenda MacPhee, a local resident who helped organize the vigil, said the gathering was meant to provide comfort and solidarity.
“It’s not a place for accusations or judgments. It’s a safe space,” MacPhee told CBC. “It’s like every parent’s worst nightmare. You don’t want to ever have to go through something like this”
MacPhee became emotional as she read a prayer, calling for strength and guidance for those working to bring Lilly and Jack home. Attendees laid candles, stuffed animals, and angel figurines near a growing memorial. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, and their paternal grandmother, Belynda Gray, stood quietly nearby.
Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, district commander for Pictou County District RCMP, spoke at the vigil, reaffirming the force’s commitment.
“Please know that we are fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack,” he said. He emphasized that the investigation remains active and that the disappearance is being treated as suspicious, as is standard in missing persons cases without clear evidence otherwise.
“We’re not packing up and we’re not giving up,” MacKinnon had previously stated at a May 7 news conference, Global News reported.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Lilly and Jack Sullivan Still Missing Over a Month After Vanishing from Rural Home
A boot print, hundreds of tips, but still no answers in puzzling case.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 10, 2025 8:30 am ET
Lilly Sullivan, left, and her brother Jack Sullivan. (via MissingPeople.ca)
STELLARTON, N.S. – One month after Lilly and Jack Sullivan vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home, their community continues to search for answers.
The siblings, aged six and four, were reported missing on the morning of May 2 by their mother and stepfather, who told police the children had wandered away from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, about 30 kilometres from New Glasgow.
The heavily wooded, sparsely populated area has since been the focus of extensive search efforts.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay told Global News Canada that investigators are “using all tools and resources to determine the circumstances of their disappearance” and remain “fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack.”
The RCMP has confirmed that their major crime unit and forensic teams have been involved in the case from the outset. The search, initially expansive and involving helicopters, drones, K9 units, and more than 160 search personnel, was scaled back on May 7. However, targeted ground and underwater searches have continued in the surrounding area, CBC News reported.
The most recent organized search took place over the weekend beginning June 1, with crews again focusing on the Gairloch Road area and a nearby pipeline trail — where a child’s boot print was previously found. In total, 8.5 square kilometres have now been thoroughly searched. Despite more than 10,000 volunteer hours logged, over 50 interviews conducted, and hundreds of public tips reviewed, no trace of the children has been found, according to CBC News.
On Monday, June 2, about 50 residents gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the RCMP detachment in Stellarton, releasing two glowing paper lanterns into the evening sky — a gesture meant to symbolize hope for the children’s safe return.
Brenda MacPhee, a local resident who helped organize the vigil, said the gathering was meant to provide comfort and solidarity.
“It’s not a place for accusations or judgments. It’s a safe space,” MacPhee told CBC. “It’s like every parent’s worst nightmare. You don’t want to ever have to go through something like this”
MacPhee became emotional as she read a prayer, calling for strength and guidance for those working to bring Lilly and Jack home. Attendees laid candles, stuffed animals, and angel figurines near a growing memorial. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, and their paternal grandmother, Belynda Gray, stood quietly nearby.
Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, district commander for Pictou County District RCMP, spoke at the vigil, reaffirming the force’s commitment.
“Please know that we are fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack,” he said. He emphasized that the investigation remains active and that the disappearance is being treated as suspicious, as is standard in missing persons cases without clear evidence otherwise.
“We’re not packing up and we’re not giving up,” MacKinnon had previously stated at a May 7 news conference, Global News reported.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Lilly and Jack Sullivan Still Missing Over a Month After Vanishing from Rural Home
A boot print, hundreds of tips, but still no answers in puzzling case.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 10, 2025 8:30 am ET
Lilly Sullivan, left, and her brother Jack Sullivan. (via MissingPeople.ca)
STELLARTON, N.S. – One month after Lilly and Jack Sullivan vanished from their rural Nova Scotia home, their community continues to search for answers.
The siblings, aged six and four, were reported missing on the morning of May 2 by their mother and stepfather, who told police the children had wandered away from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, about 30 kilometres from New Glasgow.
The heavily wooded, sparsely populated area has since been the focus of extensive search efforts.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay told Global News Canada that investigators are “using all tools and resources to determine the circumstances of their disappearance” and remain “fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack.”
The RCMP has confirmed that their major crime unit and forensic teams have been involved in the case from the outset. The search, initially expansive and involving helicopters, drones, K9 units, and more than 160 search personnel, was scaled back on May 7. However, targeted ground and underwater searches have continued in the surrounding area, CBC News reported.
The most recent organized search took place over the weekend beginning June 1, with crews again focusing on the Gairloch Road area and a nearby pipeline trail — where a child’s boot print was previously found. In total, 8.5 square kilometres have now been thoroughly searched. Despite more than 10,000 volunteer hours logged, over 50 interviews conducted, and hundreds of public tips reviewed, no trace of the children has been found, according to CBC News.
On Monday, June 2, about 50 residents gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the RCMP detachment in Stellarton, releasing two glowing paper lanterns into the evening sky — a gesture meant to symbolize hope for the children’s safe return.
Brenda MacPhee, a local resident who helped organize the vigil, said the gathering was meant to provide comfort and solidarity.
“It’s not a place for accusations or judgments. It’s a safe space,” MacPhee told CBC. “It’s like every parent’s worst nightmare. You don’t want to ever have to go through something like this”
MacPhee became emotional as she read a prayer, calling for strength and guidance for those working to bring Lilly and Jack home. Attendees laid candles, stuffed animals, and angel figurines near a growing memorial. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, and their paternal grandmother, Belynda Gray, stood quietly nearby.
Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, district commander for Pictou County District RCMP, spoke at the vigil, reaffirming the force’s commitment.
“Please know that we are fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack,” he said. He emphasized that the investigation remains active and that the disappearance is being treated as suspicious, as is standard in missing persons cases without clear evidence otherwise.
“We’re not packing up and we’re not giving up,” MacKinnon had previously stated at a May 7 news conference, Global News reported.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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