On Thursday, February 5, Major Crime officer in charge Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke held a press conference where he revealed Gus Lamont's disappearance was now considered a major crime investigation.
In a briefing, the most detailed from police since the initial disappearance, Superintendent Fielke explained the process and reasons behind the initial declared search areas and the factors in its investigation.
He said they had been exploring three "investigation options" in relation to the disappearance — that the boy walked off from Oak Park Station, that he was abducted or that someone known to him was involved in his disappearance and suspected death.
Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke with a map comparing the search area for Gus Lamont with much of Adelaide's inner suburbs. (ABC News)
He said they had "found no evidence, physical or otherwise, to suggest that Gus has merely wandered off from the Oak Park homestead" and "no evidence to suggest that Gus was abducted from the property".
He said "inconsistencies" in the information provided to police had left them with a suspect.
"As a result of these inconsistencies, and investigations into them, a person who resides at Oak Park station has withdrawn their support for the police and is no longer cooperating with us…"
he said.
"I do want to stress, however, that Gus's parents are not suspects in his disappearance."
