Criminologists evaluate the search for missing N.S. siblings

Nearly a year after they went missing the RCMP share new details in the case of Jack and Lily Sullivan. Paul Hollingsworth has the latest.

The one-year anniversary of the disappearance of four-year-old Jack and six-year-old Lilly Sullivan is fast approaching, and the RCMP realizes the public expects answers.

“Our investigators feel pressure,” said Nova Scotia RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon.

In the early morning hours of May 2, 2025, Jack and Lilly disappeared from their home in Lansdowne Station. Following numerous searches, only a pink blanket and a boot were found.

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McCamon said 106 people have been interviewed; police have received almost 1,200 tips and the RCMP is now asking the public for fact-based tips only.

St. Thomas University Criminology Professor Michael Boudreau said in a case like this, police can get bogged down with online social media speculation that could slow down the investigation.

“Those tips may be well-intentioned, but there are limited resources that the police have,” said Boudreau. “If they don’t follow up, they’ll be blamed and if they do follow up and nothing comes from it, ironically, they will still get blamed. “

According to Boudreau, despite appearances, this year-long case is still likely a very busy investigation.

“I suspect there is still activity going on behind the scenes,” said Boudreau. “The problem that the RCMP faces is, how much should they share with the public? They can’t share all their investigative techniques because if they do, they may indeed tip off a potential suspect.”

On Sunday, volunteers were searching the heavily wooded area in Lansdowne Station, but there are no plans for the RCMP to resume a formal search like the one that took place last year.

In a missing persons case, Boudreau said the first 72 hours are crucial, but after that the likelihood of finding those who are missing decreases considerably.

“Now that we are a year in, it makes it even more desperate,” said Boudreau, who added the longer this investigation drags on without a conclusion, the more the pressure on the RCMP will increase.

“There are other obstacles, in terms of how much public trust do people have in the RCMP to solve the case,” said Boudreau. “So maybe people who should be more cooperative, are not because they don’t have faith the RCMP will do their due diligence.”

In addition to interviewing people and responding to numerous tips, the RCMP also administered polygraph tests to family members, people living in Lansdowne Station and the surrounding areas.

RCMP still do not know what happened to Jack and Lilly Sullivan.