The Lily and Jack Sullivan disappearance has taken a dramatic and unexpected turn. After months of searching, speculation, and dead ends, RCMP investigators have uncovered a crucial piece of evidence that could finally crack the case wide open. Hidden text messages from Daniel Martell, a man previously thought to be only marginally involved, have now surfaced—and what they reveal is deeply disturbing.

The RCMP confirmed late Monday evening that encrypted messages were retrieved from Martell’s backup cloud account during a digital forensic sweep. The messages, which span several weeks before and after the children’s disappearance, had been deleted from his phone but preserved in an automatic backup. Investigators were reportedly stunned by the content, which includes references to “keeping them quiet,” “changing plans,” and “watching the house from the ridge.”

While the RCMP have yet to release the full content of the texts to the public, high-level law enforcement sources have leaked that these communications show premeditation and awareness of the children’s movements. Martell, a former friend of the Sullivan family and frequent guest at their home, had always maintained he was out of town when Lily and Jack vanished. But the metadata from the text logs tell a different story.

Geolocation data places Martell’s device less than a mile from the Sullivan property just hours before the disappearance. In one recovered message, he appears to send coordinates to another unnamed recipient, followed by the ominous phrase: “Let’s finish this before they ask questions.” RCMP sources say this strongly suggests the involvement of at least one accomplice and could point toward a planned abduction rather than a spontaneous act.

The children’s mother, Malehya Sullivan, has reportedly been cooperating with authorities since the beginning, though this new information has reopened scrutiny of past associations. While there is no confirmed evidence linking her directly to Martell’s actions, investigators are now reexamining her previous statements, especially her claims that she hadn’t seen or spoken to Martell in months.

Family members of Lily and Jack were informed of the text discovery before the public announcement. One relative, who asked not to be named, told reporters, “We always felt like there was something darker going on behind the scenes, something we couldn’t prove. Now it’s starting to make sense.”

This isn’t the first time Martell has raised red flags. In 2023, he was questioned in connection to a separate domestic incident involving a minor, though charges were never filed due to lack of evidence. That file has now been reopened in light of the current findings. The RCMP is also seeking information about Martell’s movements during the week of the disappearance and have issued a request for anyone who may have seen his white pickup truck on or around rural roads near the Sullivan residence.

Tech experts were brought in by the RCMP after inconsistencies were noticed in Martell’s phone data during routine checks. The forensic team utilized advanced data recovery tools and traced backups stored on third-party apps linked to Martell’s email address. The messages were encrypted, but not beyond recovery. Investigators worked for nearly 72 hours straight to decrypt and verify their authenticity.

The timing of this breakthrough comes as community pressure has been mounting. For weeks, protests have been held outside RCMP offices demanding more transparency in the investigation. The public, frustrated by the lack of visible progress, has been using social media to keep the case alive. The hashtags #FindLilyAndJack and #JusticeForSullivans have been trending across Canada.

Legal analysts believe this new evidence could be the tipping point that brings formal charges. “Hidden communications like these—especially when deleted and encrypted—are incredibly damning,” said former prosecutor Rachel Lennox. “It implies knowledge of wrongdoing and an effort to conceal it. If linked to the children’s disappearance, this is the kind of evidence that gets convictions.”

As of now, Martell has not been taken into custody, but the RCMP have stated they are “actively monitoring” his whereabouts. He is under what officials describe as a “soft surveillance order,” meaning his movements are being tracked while further evidence is gathered. He has reportedly hired legal representation but has not made a public statement.

The community remains on edge. Schools in the area have increased security, and local parents are demanding more answers from both law enforcement and local government officials. A candlelight vigil for Lily and Jack, originally scheduled for next week, is now being turned into a rally for justice.

While the fate of the children is still unknown, the tone of the investigation has shifted. There’s now a sense of direction—a sense that someone will be held accountable. The RCMP say they are working closely with cybercrime units, child protection services, and local agencies to follow up on every lead generated by the new digital evidence.

If the text messages are authenticated in court and the contents match what’s been leaked to the press, Daniel Martell could soon face a range of serious charges, including abduction, obstruction of justice, and possibly conspiracy. It may also open the door for further arrests if an accomplice is identified through the communications.

As this breaking story continues to develop, the focus remains on the safe recovery of Lily and Jack Sullivan. Investigators urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any information—no matter how small—to the RCMP tip line. For now, the community holds its breath, hoping that this digital trail leads to justice—and, more importantly, to the safe return of the two missing children.