Nova Scotia’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Wednesday that investigators have conducted polygraph interviews as part of the effort to determine what happened to Lilly and Jack Sullivan, siblings who vanished from their home in Lansdowne Station on May 2.

RCMP stated in a news release that investigators have interviewed 54 people, “which has included the administration of polygraph to some of the individuals interviewed.”

“Forensic polygraph examinations are an investigative tool used by the RCMP in a variety of investigations. We are not able to share specifics of their use in regard to this investigation,” Cindy Bayers, director of strategic communications for RCMP Nova Scotia, told Newsweek.

The children have not yet been found and search efforts continue.

The Context

The case of Lilly and Jack Sullivan has captured widespread attention in both Canada and abroad due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding their disappearance. Police said Lilly, 6, and Jack, 4, are believed to have wandered away from their home.

Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan were last seen on May 2 at their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station. Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The children have been missing for over a month, with officials and trained volunteers putting in tens of thousands of search hours, according to RCMP.

The police have collected hundreds of hours of video from areas surrounding Lansdowne Station, including from along Gairloch Road between April 28 and May 2, after a public appeal for footage. Investigators have received 488 tips and “extensively” searched the Sullivan home, grounds, nearby septic systems, wells and mineshafts. No new search areas have been identified as a direct result of these efforts.

Timeline and Major Developments

Lilly and Jack attended school at Salt Springs Elementary on April 29. They had no school on April 30 and were home sick on May 1 and May 2.

RCMP reported that the children were observed in public with family members on May 1.

The disappearance triggered extensive search operations with over 160 search and rescue officials, police dogs, helicopters and drones. While the initial ground effort was scaled back on May 7, targeted searches have continued, focusing on areas near the home and bodies of water in the region.

The National Centre of Missing Persons, Canadian Centre for Child Protection, and provincial and municipal agencies are assisting in the investigation.

Investigators have been granted numerous judicial authorizations to seize and examine materials and devices that “may prove useful” in the investigation.

What People Are Saying

Staff Sergeant Rob McCamon, acting officer in charge of the Nova Scotia RCMP Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences unit, in a statement: “The investigation is being led by a tenacious, committed group of investigators who are gathering and assessing information daily to learn more about the circumstances of Lilly and Jack’s disappearance so we can find them. All scenarios are being considered, and we’ve engaged every tool and resource at our disposal.”

Corporal Sandy Matharu, investigation lead of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, in a statement: “We’re accessing, evaluating and analyzing a significant volume of information from a variety of sources. We have a very coordinated and deliberate approach to make certain all information is meticulously scrutinized, prioritized and actioned to ensure nothing is missed. We’re committed to doing what is necessary to locate Lilly and Jack and advance the investigation, which may take longer than we all hoped.”

What Happens Next

The investigation into Lilly and Jack’s disappearance remains ongoing. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack is asked to call the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online or via the P3 Tips app.