Missing Children Lilly & Jack Sullivan

Brian Teepell/USPA 24 News - RCMP cadaver dogs scoured a large area near Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia, in search of missing siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan, yielding no human remains. The investigation remains active, with over 860 tips and 8,000 videos reviewed. On Wednesday, October 8th, authorities released the following statement.

The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (MCU) is persisting in its investigation, examining all potential scenarios to locate Lilly and Jack Sullivan, following unsuccessful searches in Lansdowne Station that did not yield human remains.

In late September, Inspector Luke Rettie and his police dog, Narc, along with Sergeant Dave Whalen and his police dog, Kitt, conducted an exhaustive search for Lilly and Jack in Lansdowne Station, covering a vast area of 40 kilometres. The teams, specially trained in detecting human remains, methodically searched the property from which the children went missing, along the pipeline and intersecting trails, and in an area where a pink blanket was previously found. All locations were identified as having the highest probability of finding the children. However, the teams did not locate any remains.

According to S/Sgt. Stephen, “The dogs are highly trained to detect and indicate the scent of human remains, therefore, if the dogs did not alert their handlers, it suggests the dogs were never in the presence of human remains odour.”

“However, this doesn’t definitively rule out the presence of remains in the areas that were searched. It means either the odour is there and couldn’t be detected or the odour isn’t there.” While the searches were occurring, the investigative team in the Northeast Nova MCU continued to assess and follow up on information that has been gleaned from the more than 860 tips received to date, 8060 video files that have been reviewed, and forensic testing that continues."

Rob McCamon, Officer in Charge (acting) of Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences. “Each piece of information, including the results from the search teams, helps inform our next steps. With support from agencies across Canada, the investigative team is working to validate or eliminate leads and follow the evidence wherever it takes us. At this stage, and as we’ve said all along, we’re considering all possibilities. We’ll keep going until we determine, with certainty, the circumstances of the children’s disappearance and they’re found.”

Authorities are urging individuals with knowledge regarding Lilly and Jack's whereabouts to contact the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060 or reach out to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or utilize the P3 Tips app.

S/Sgt. McCamon concluded by saying, “Sometimes, the smallest detail holds the biggest answers. One piece of information may help reveal a key piece in the investigation that leads to finding Lilly and Jack."