Missing children’s grandmother in ‘disbelief’ about lack of answers a year after disappearance

Lilly and Jack Sullivan’s grandmother says a lot remains uncertain one year after their disappearance.

The paternal grandmother of Lilly and Jack Sullivan says she’s in “disbelief” there is still no sign of the children a year after they were reported missing.

“Two children living on a property with three adults and nobody knows what happened to them,” said Belynda Gray from her home in Upper Musquodoboit, N.S., Friday morning.

“Not having answers, a year later of not being any closer to having answers, and I just don’t understand it.”

Four-year-old Jack and six-year-old Lilly were reported missing from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, N.S., on May 2, 2025. It is believed they wandered away from their rural property that morning.

• A timeline of key events in the case of Lilly and Jack Sullivan

Multiple searches have been done in the heavily-wooded areas near the children’s home over the past year, assisted by ground search teams and local volunteers, but their disappearance remains a mystery.

The RCMP is still calling it a missing persons case and has said there is no evidence to suggest the children were abducted.

A year later, Gray says it’s difficult not having any answers and, while she knows the police are still investigating, she wishes they would release more information about the case.

“I don’t understand it, why we can’t have some information,” Gray told CTV Your Morning’s Anne-Marie Mediwake. “I get integrity of an investigation and understand that, but we could at least rule some things out because the speculation in the public, it’s constant.

“And it would be nice if they could be more clear on what they feel didn’t happen.”

Police said Thursday they are looking for “fact-based tips” from the public and not rumours or theories, which they said can actually hinder the investigation and make extra work for investigators who have to look into every tip received.

There has been much speculation online about what might have happened to the Sullivan siblings. The CEO of the Missing Children Society of Canada says, while technology can drive information and awareness, it can also allow the spread of misinformation.

“When children go missing, online support and awareness is critical, but it can also harm in terms of speculation or not understanding facts,” Amanda Pick told CTV News Atlantic’s Hafsa Arif. “That can lead to conclusions being reached, and really that is not helpful. What is important is the information being vetted and verified.

“It is important to remember that we are searching for the children. People have a lot of opinions and speculation about missing children investigations, including about families, because people are interested in the details. But if that same interest and energy were applied together toward the continued search, that would be the most effective use of it."

While a year has passed, Pick is encouraging people involved and invested in the case to keep searching and hold onto hope the children will be found.

“What I would really like community members and people to know is that hope is action. Stand with the community, stand together and keep searching,” said Pick.

“Every opportunity you have to create awareness for Jack and Lilly, please help in the search because we believe we should not stop until we find them.”

Gray says she’s among those who will keep searching for her “beautiful” grandchildren.

“I hang onto hope that we’ll find them,” she said.

A vigil marking the one-year anniversary of the children’s disappearance is set for 2 p.m. local time Saturday outside the RCMP detachment in Stellarton, N.S.

With files from CTV Your Morning’s Anne-Marie Mediwake and CTV News Atlantic’s Hafsa Arif

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