The mystery surrounding the disappearance of siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues to grip Pictou County, Nova Scotia, more than three weeks after they were last seen. The children, aged six and four, were reported missing on the morning of May 2, 2025, from their family’s rural property on Gairloch Road in Landsdowne Station. Despite an extensive search effort involving police, volunteers, search and rescue crews, and advanced aerial technology, the children have not been found, and troubling questions remain unanswered.

According to initial reports, the parents of the children, Sarah and Mike Sullivan, told authorities they last saw their children at approximately 8:00 a.m. on the morning they disappeared. The details around the moments leading up to their disappearance have shifted slightly across various accounts, which has led to mounting scrutiny and growing public concern. While the parents initially stated the children were playing in the yard when they stepped away briefly, subsequent reports indicated a wider window of time unaccounted for, raising questions about the exact timeline.

The RCMP confirmed that the official report was filed shortly after 10:30 a.m., when the children were discovered missing. That two-and-a-half-hour gap has become a critical focus of the investigation, particularly as inconsistencies have emerged in interviews given by different family members. Authorities have not publicly identified any persons of interest, but they have acknowledged that all possibilities remain under consideration — including the potential for criminal involvement.

The area surrounding the Sullivan residence was quickly transformed into the center of a massive ground search. Drones, helicopters, and canine units were deployed across a growing radius that now spans over 30 square kilometers of wooded terrain, streams, and rural roads. Local and provincial search and rescue teams have contributed thousands of man-hours, with community volunteers assisting in door-to-door canvassing and flyering surrounding neighborhoods.

In the early days of the search, a few personal items believed to belong to the children were discovered not far from a logging trail. A juice box, a small fleece jacket, and a child’s sock were confirmed by family members to belong to Lilly or Jack. However, no additional items have been located since, and no confirmed sightings of the children have been reported since the morning of May 2.

Complicating the search effort are the contradictions noted in public statements made by members of the Sullivan family. In a televised interview, one relative mentioned seeing the children just before breakfast, while another recalled hearing them playing outside closer to 9:00 a.m. Law enforcement officials have not commented on these discrepancies in detail but confirmed they are aware of them and are carefully reviewing all statements.

Despite these inconsistencies, the family has remained visibly involved in the search effort, appearing at community gatherings and making public appeals for the children’s safe return. In one emotional press conference, Sarah Sullivan pleaded through tears for anyone with information to come forward. “We don’t care what happened, we just want them home,” she said.

Authorities have issued repeated calls to the public to check their properties, outbuildings, and any private security footage from the morning of May 2. They have also requested information regarding a white pickup truck seen in the area around that time. Surveillance footage from a nearby farm captured a vehicle matching the description passing near Gairloch Road, but it remains unclear if it is connected to the case.

The RCMP has not ruled out the possibility that the children were abducted. Officials have stated that they are treating the situation as a missing persons case involving vulnerable minors, but they are also pursuing parallel criminal investigative strategies. That includes reviewing electronic communications, phone records, and conducting background checks on individuals with access to the children.

The community has responded to the crisis with determination and empathy. Ribbons, posters, and handwritten messages of hope can be seen in towns throughout Pictou County. Donations of food and supplies have kept search teams well-supported, and a crowdfunding campaign for the family has raised more than $60,000. Weekly vigils continue to draw crowds of concerned residents who light candles, offer prayers, and remain united in their resolve to see Jack and Lilly brought home safely.

Behavioral analysts and missing persons experts have been brought in to consult on the case. They are working alongside local law enforcement to develop profiles, reevaluate search zones, and review interview transcripts. A senior officer with the RCMP stated that it is not uncommon in long-term missing child investigations for attention to shift toward the immediate family — not as an accusation, but as a necessary step in a thorough investigation.

As more time passes without answers, pressure is building on law enforcement to provide clarity. Advocates for missing children have urged a greater degree of transparency, asking whether Amber Alert protocols should have been activated more quickly, and whether external abduction should now be considered more likely than accidental disappearance.

For the Sullivan family, the weight of public speculation has added to an already unbearable burden. The emotional toll is evident. Friends close to the couple have described their condition as “shattered,” and others have stepped in to help care for younger relatives while the search continues. Mental health professionals have been made available to both the family and the wider community.

Efforts are also expanding beyond Nova Scotia. Posters featuring the children’s photos and descriptions have been shared nationwide. INTERPOL has issued Yellow Notices, and the children’s profiles have been uploaded to international missing child databases. Truck stops, airports, and public transit hubs across Atlantic Canada have been circulated advisories requesting any sightings to be reported immediately.

Jack is described as having curly blond hair, blue eyes, and a quiet demeanor. He was last seen wearing a green hoodie and rain boots. Lilly has red hair, freckles, and was wearing jeans and a pink jacket. Both children are considered highly vulnerable due to their age and the outdoor conditions.

As of now, there is no definitive evidence pointing to where the children are or what happened to them. But the investigation remains open and active, with authorities reiterating their commitment to pursuing every lead, no matter how small.

A dedicated RCMP tip line remains operational for anyone with information: 1-800-555-1122. Authorities stress that no tip is too minor and that anonymity can be preserved for anyone reluctant to come forward publicly.

With days turning into weeks, the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan has moved from a localized emergency to a national concern. And yet, amid the confusion, questions, and pain, a community continues to hope — and search — for the safe return of two missing children whose story is far from over.