In a recent development, RCMP disclosed that specialized dogs trained to detect human remains failed to locate two missing children, Lilly and Jack Sullivan, who disappeared from rural Nova Scotia over five months ago. The siblings, aged 6 and 4, were reported missing on May 2 after their mother notified authorities that they had wandered off from their residence in Lansdowne, situated in Pictou County.
During late September, two dog teams from British Columbia, led by Insp. Luke Rettie with his canine Narc and Sgt. Dave Whalen with his dog Kitt, covered a total of 40 kilometers in search efforts. They scoured the area where the children were last seen, including nearby trails and a pipeline, as well as the location where a pink blanket had been discovered earlier.
Despite focusing on high-probability areas, the search did not yield any findings of the missing children. Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon, overseeing major crime and behavioral sciences in Nova Scotia, emphasized that while the search did not locate the children, it does not rule out the potential presence of human remains in those areas.
The disappearance of Lilly and Jack in May prompted an extensive search operation covering 8.5 square kilometers of dense woodland, involving approximately 160 ground search and rescue volunteers, service dogs, drones, and helicopters. The perplexing nature of the case, coupled with a lack of definitive answers, has attracted global attention.
The RCMP’s Northeast Nova major crime unit continues to pursue leads generated from over 860 tips, analysis of 8,060 video files, and forensic examinations. McCamon reiterated the ongoing investigation under the Missing Persons Act, emphasizing the significance of public tips in advancing the case.
While exploring all avenues, authorities remain tight-lipped about investigative theories. McCamon affirmed the relentless dedication to resolving the mystery and emphasized the potential recall of search dogs based on new information or evidence.
In an interview, Daniel Martell, the children’s stepfather, recounted the search efforts conducted by the dog teams and his cooperation with law enforcement since the children’s disappearance. He shared his emotional interaction with a handler during the search operation.
Belynda Gray, the children’s paternal grandmother, expressed her lack of surprise at the search’s outcome and her concerns about the prolonged search. She urged for expanded search efforts beyond Pictou County and emphasized the urgency of finding Lilly and Jack.
As the investigation persists, authorities are encouraging the public to provide any relevant information that could aid in locating the missing children. The community remains hopeful for a resolution to the case while grappling with the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Lilly and Jack Sullivan’s disappearance.
