Six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother, Jack, were reported missing around 10 a.m. on May 2, 2025, from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, located approximately 30 kilometres from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. According to their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, she woke that morning to the sound of the children playing in the next room. She briefly fell back asleep, but upon waking again and discovering they were no longer in the house, she immediately called 911.

Their stepfather, Daniel Martell, has been deeply involved in the search efforts. He described Lilly and Jack as “awesome kids,” noting Jack’s love for bugs and dinosaurs, and how Lilly, while fond of “girlie things,” often followed her brother’s lead. “They’re like best friends, not just brother and sister,” he said.

Malehya Brooks-Murray moved to Daniel Martell’s home two years ago and is a stay-at-home mom, Daniel works at a local sawmill, but work has slowed down there in recent weeks and he was not at work on Friday.

Malehya Brooks-Murray Family members have raised concerns about the possibility of abduction and have urged authorities to expand the search beyond the immediate area to include provincial borders and transportation hubs. Martell also noted that certain items found during the search, such as clothing and a water bottle, did not belong to either child.

Lilly and Jack are members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation. In response to the case, Chief Michelle Glasgow publicly questioned the decision not to issue an Amber Alert and called for establishing a national alert system tailored to better respond to such emergencies.

Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station

The two children went missing from this home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, about 20 kilometres southwest of New Glasgow, on May 2, 2025. Map

Missing children: Lilly Sullivan and Jack Sullivan

Timeline: Disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan

The Kids did not attend school that week since Tuesday. They were kept home because Lily had a cough

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

The bus driver dropped them off at home after school on Tuesday. Link

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 

The province had no school on Wednesday due to the Professional Development Day across all schools and public institutions in Nova Scotia. Source

Friday, May 2, 2025

10:00 AM – Six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan are reported missing from their rural home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, about 30 km from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
The children were last seen playing in the yard. Mom’s statement: “They were outside playing, but we weren’t aware of it at the time, and the next thing we knew it was quiet” Mothers Interview & Source
11:00 AM – Following their disappearance, a vulnerable missing persons advisory was issued in Pictou County. The Pictou County District RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan. They were last seen this morning, May 2, on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdown Station, Pictou County. Lilly Sullivan has shoulder-length light brown hair with bangs and may be wearing a pink sweater, pink pants, and pink boots. Jack Sullivan has short blondish hair and was last seen wearing blue dinosaur boots. Further clothing details are unavailable. The RCMP requests that the public share this information responsibly through social media. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app. File #: 2025-580096 Source
4:55 PM – Official Update: The search for missing children Lilly and Jack Sullivan is ongoing in Pictou County. Since just after 10 a.m. this morning, May 2, a search has been underway for two children who are believed to have wandered from a home on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County. There is a multi-agency response currently on the ground in Pictou County. It includes resources from ground search and rescue teams from around the province who are collaborating to ensure resources and teams are available on an ongoing basis. Other resources and teams include the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), Department of Natural Resources Air Services, and several RCMP units, including RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) operators, and others. Additionally, the RCMP issued a vulnerable missing person alert for Pictou County. Police and others involved in the search appreciate the ongoing community support across the province related to this missing person investigation.

We ask, however, that the public avoid the search area to allow trained searchers to do their work. The child’s family has been kept updated on the search efforts. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack Sullivan is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app. File # : 2025-583775 Source

5:27 PM – A broadcast intrusive alert was issued extending to Antigonish, Colchester, and Pictou counties. Source
RCMP and emergency responders begin search efforts immediately, deploying ground crews and air support.
6:00 PM – The coordinated response includes ground search and rescue teams from across Nova Scotia. Additional support is being provided by the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), Department of Natural Resources Air Services, and various RCMP units, including Police Dog Services and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operators. The RCMP has also issued a vulnerable missing person alert for Pictou County. Authorities acknowledge and appreciate the widespread community support. However, the public is urged to avoid the area to allow trained personnel to conduct their operations effectively. The family is being regularly briefed on the progress of the search. Source
By the end of the day Friday, tensions escalated between family members following the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan. Some relatives from the children’s mother’s side accused their stepfather, Daniel Martell, of being involved. Martell stated that after the children vanished, their mother left to stay with her family elsewhere in the province and has since blocked him on social media. “There was an argument in the yard that day,” Martell said. “My mother had to kick some people off the property because they were accusing me of being involved—when I’m the only one still here fighting for them. It’s sad.”

May 3, 2025

7:57 AM: Update: While it is tempting to help by searching it is strongly discouraged because it contaminates the search area with scent and broken branches, debris etc. There are search dogs following scent, drones above looking for heat signatures and every person who enters the space will send responding GSAR members to you and not the missing persons. Searching is very methodical based on science and math and done in specific patterns. Please do not enter the search area. If you live near and check your own sheds that is very different from entering the woods in known search environments.
4:00 PM An emergency alert has been issued for Pictou, Antigonish, and Colchester counties regarding missing vulnerable children, Lilly and Jack Sullivan, last seen on May 2 in Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia RCMP is seeking public assistance to locate six-year-old Lilly, who has shoulder-length light brown hair with bangs and may be wearing a pink sweater, pink pants, and pink boots, and four-year-old Jack, who has short blondish hair and is wearing blue dinosaur boots. Anyone with information is urged to call police or Crime-stoppers Source
A massive multi-agency search is launched. Over 160 trained searchers join, including RCMP, volunteer ground search and rescue teams, police dogs, drones, and helicopters. Infrared technology is used to sweep the forested terrain surrounding the home. The search area expands to approximately 4 square kilometers.
Malehya Brooks-Murray and Daniel Martell attended a briefing at the search and rescue headquarters on Lansdowne Station Road. According to Martell, Malehya Brooks-Murray left in the middle of the briefing and was sitting in the back of an ambulance. She then left the area with her mother, and Martell stated that he has not seen or heard from her since. He says she cut off all contact with him following this. Source
6:59 PM: official Update – Search efforts are ongoing in Pictou County for missing six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan, who were reported missing yesterday, May 2, at approximately 10 a.m. It’s believed the children wandered away from a home on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdowne Station. The search for Lilly and Jack continued through the night and will continue as necessary to support the missing persons investigation. Ground search and rescue teams and air services from the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and the Department of Natural Resources are contributing assets. “Search teams have been strategic and thorough in their work,” says Inspector Mike Ingles, Acting District Policing Officer. “They’re using a variety of tools and resources as they look for the children in the heavily wooded rural area. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jack and Lilly who hasn’t already spoken to police is asked to contact the Pictou County District RCMP.” When the children were reported missing, a vulnerable missing persons alert was issued in Pictou County. As the children have not yet been located, a broadcast intrusive alert was issued today, at approximately 5:27 p.m., to Antigonish, Colchester, and Pictou counties. Investigators continue to ask that the public avoid the search area to allow trained searchers to do their work. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app. File #: 2025-580096 Source

May 4, 2025

Daniel Martell shared the following account with news outlets regarding the disappearance of Lily and Jack Sullivan:

Early morning: Martell says Lilly came into the room multiple times while Jack was likely playing in the kitchen.
Shortly after: He believes the children quietly opened the back sliding door and went outside. Their boots were found beside the door.
Moments later: Martell assumes they exited through the back fence and left the property.
Upon realizing they were gone: He says he immediately got in his car and searched nearby dirt roads, culverts, rivers, and streams.
Approximately 10 minutes later: Martell returned home and resumed the search on foot.

7:30 PM: Update: The search continued throughout Sunday in Landsdowne. There are approximately 130 searchers during the day and dozens of more support staff. As you can see by the photos, a large scale effort such as this does require leads in various roles. There were drone teams in the air as well and a helicopter. Additionally, there were 5 K-9’s teams. Three of the K-9s were with Heavy Urban Search and Rescue from Halifax as well as one GSAR K-9 and one Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Nova Scotia K-9. There were 10 search teams on the ground today. There are 12 search teams planned for tonight’s 8pm to 8am shift. Source

May 5, 2025

Step father was interviewed by Pictou Country RCMP for hours. RCMP state that there is no evidence of foul play or abduction at this time.
An Amber Alert is not issued; a “vulnerable persons” alert is broadcast locally. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Carlie McCann said No Amber Alert will be issued because there are specific requirements for issuing an Amber Alert, including the belief that a child has been abducted. “There’s no evidence of an abduction,” she said. “They are believed to have wandered.” She added that they are not believed to be with an adult. “It’s going to be a multi-agency response and there are a variety of resources going out,” McCann said.
Focused search initiated:A report of a child’s boot print found near the Sullivan residence leads search crews to concentrate efforts in that specific area.
The community rallies in support — volunteers, food donations, and logistical support pour in.

May 6, 2025

Items are found during the search, including a child’s clothing and a water bottle. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, states these items do not belong to Lilly or Jack, raising questions about their origin.
The children’s family urges the RCMP to expand the search across provincial borders and airports, suggesting a possible abduction.
Children mother Brooks-Muray has been staying with her mother in a nearby town since the children went missing. Source
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deployed four Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operators overnight to aid in the search for Lilly and Jack Sullivan. These RPAS, commonly referred to as drones, enhance nighttime search capabilities through Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology. FLIR effectively detects thermal variations, guiding ground search teams to potential areas of interest. This RPAS operation complements the ongoing efforts of Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) teams and various support resources from across the province. Anyone with any potentially relevant information should immediately call police. Link

May 7, 2025

RCMP collect evidence: Officers arrive at the Sullivan residence and ask Daniel Martell to turn over his phone. Martell states that he complied and handed it over.
Family declines to comment: When asked by by reporters about the investigation, Cyndy Murray (maternal grandmother) responded, “We’re not discussing anything right now. The police told us not to.”
2:11 PM – The RCMP announced a scaling back of ground search operations, citing extensive coverage of the terrain and a lack of confirmed sightings. Press Conference
Over six days, more than 160 trained volunteers participated daily in a large-scale effort that covered roughly four square kilometers of dense forest. Despite the use of helicopters, drones, infrared imaging, and police dogs, there have been no confirmed sightings of the missing children.
Investigation continues, but fewer searchers are deployed.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police – RCMP stated there is no indication of foul play or abduction, and they believe Lilly and Jack likely wandered away from their home. As a result, an Amber Alert was not issued; instead, alerts for vulnerable persons were circulated throughout Pictou County and surrounding areas.
The RCMP emphasizes that the case remains open and active. Source

May 8, 2025 – Lansdowne Station & Stellarton, Nova Scotia

Aerial and tech-assisted search: RCMP conduct an aerial search of the dense forest behind the Sullivan residence using a helicopter. Plainclothes investigators return to speak with Daniel Martell. He reports they are seeking to analyze any technology that could help identify phones that entered the property.
CPS involvement: According to Martell’s interview, his friend drove Martell to the Children’s Protective Services (CPS) office in Stellarton, where he requested to see his 16-month-old daughter, Meadow. His request was denied.
Martell’s statement: “As of now, I can’t be around Meadow. With the kids going missing, Children’s Protective Services wants to keep a tight leash on everything.” (From earlier interviews with Daniel Martell’s)

May 9, 2025 – Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia

Martell emphasizes cooperation: Daniel Martell states he has been fully cooperative with investigators, “I gave them everything from my phone. I asked for a lie detector test and drug tests. … I’m the one trying to move this forward and give any information that I have.”
Tech and digital investigation: Martell says RCMP are examining the home’s wireless router to determine who connected to the internet and when.
Ongoing search efforts: A large RCMP truck was in the area. Daniel Martell said that RCMP searched Lansdowne Lake from the air via helicopter and also conducted an in-water search, but nothing was found.

May 13, 2025 RCMP issued an update. 

12:24 PM: The Pictou County District RCMP, with the assistance of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, continue to investigate the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan. Source

“We’re exploring all avenues in this missing persons investigation,” says Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP. “We have officers from multiple disciplines dedicated to finding Lilly and Jack, including highly trained RCMP major crime and forensic investigators.”

To date, more than 180 tips have been received from the public, and are being followed up on.
Officers have so far identified 35 people for formal interviews as part of the investigation, including community members and those closest to the children.
on May 8 and 9, the RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team (URT) scoured bodies of water around Lansdowne Station; URT’s two-day operation didn’t uncover any evidence.

“We continue to work day and night on this file,” says S/Sgt. MacKinnon. “Like all Nova Scotians, we want answers, and we want to know what happened to these children.”

On May 2, at approximately 10 a.m., Pictou County District RCMP received a report that Lilly and Jack were missing. They were believed to have wandered away from their home on Gairloch Rd. A multi-agency search and missing persons investigation began immediately.
The search, which was scaled back to specific areas on May 7, has covered 5.5 square kilometres of heavily wooded, rural terrain in the Gairloch Rd. area. It has involved up to 160 trained volunteer searchers and many others, and tens of thousands of search hours. Efforts to locate Lilly and Jack also included two vulnerable missing persons alerts.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app. Our thoughts continue to be with the children’s loved ones and the community at this difficult time. File #: 2025-583775

May 16, 2025

Search Resumes: Warden Robert Parker says resuming the search of the two children, who went missing on May 2, is giving the community hope as they also look to find answers about what exactly took place. Source

May 17, 2025

7:14 PM – RCMP Update: Ground and air search efforts were conducted today (May 17) in Pictou County as the missing persons investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues. More than 100 volunteer searchers from Colchester, Halifax, East Hants, Pictou County, and Strait Area ground search and rescue and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association focused on specific areas around Gairloch Rd. in an effort to locate Lilly and Jack and advance the RCMP investigation. The search was supported by Nova Scotia Public Safety Field Communications and EHS Emergency Preparedness Special Operations. This search follows a large-scale air and ground search that began on May 2 and was scaled back on May 7 in favour of more specific searches. On May 8 and 9, the RCMP’s Underwater Recovery Team (URT) scoured bodies of water around Lansdowne Station; URT’s two-day operation did not uncover evidence. The search will resume tomorrow (May 18). We continue to ask that the public avoid the search area to allow trained searchers to do their work. Source

May 18, 2025

Search resumed for the missing siblings, Lilly and Jack Sullivan. We continue to ask that the public avoid the search area to allow trained searchers to do their work.
5:56 PM – RCMP Update: Ground and air search efforts were conducted today (May 18) in Pictou County as the missing persons investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues. More than 115 volunteer searchers from Colchester, East Hants, Eastern Shore, Halifax, Musquodoboit Valley, Pictou County, Pugwash, Springhill, Strait Area, Valley, and West Hants ground search and rescue and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association focused on specific areas around Gairloch Rd. in an effort to locate Lilly and Jack and advance the RCMP investigation. The search was supported by Nova Scotia Public Safety Field Communications and EHS Emergency Preparedness Special Operations. This search follows a large-scale air and ground search that began on May 2 and was scaled back on May 7 in favour of more specific searches. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the search and rescue volunteers who have selflessly given up over 10,000 hours of their time since this search began,” says S/Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, Pictou County District RCMP. “Their tireless commitment in truly gruelling conditions is appreciated by both the RCMP and the greater community.” This weekend’s search will be carefully reviewed and assessed by investigators and search managers to help in planning any further ground and air search efforts. File #: 2025-583775 Source

Sources: News and Interview:

May 2, 2025 – A broadcast intrusive alert was issued extending to Antigonish, Colchester, and Pictou counties. Source
May 2, 2025 – Pictou County District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan. They were last seen this morning, May 2, on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdown Station, Pictou County. Official Update
May 3, 2025 – Search continues for missing Pictou County children. It’s believed the children wandered away from a home on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdowne Station  Official Update
May 3, 2026 – Nova Scotia Government’s Post
May 5, 2025 – A plea for help from stepfather of Missing children in N.S.
May 5, 2025 – Search Continues for Missing Children
May 5, 2025 – Malehya Brooks-Murray Mothers Interview
May 6, 2025 – Daniel Martell Full Interview
May 6, 2025 – Daniel Martell Step Father’s Interview
May 6, 2025 – Still considered missing persons case: RCMP
May 6, 2025 – The warden of the Municipality of Pictou County
May 7, 2025 – Official Update: As of today, a multi-agency search for two missing children, six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan, will be scaled back Source
May 7, 2025 – RCMP to scale back search for Missing N.S. children
May 7, 2025 – Martell four-hour interview with two officers with the major crimes unit
May 7, 2025 – Expanded Search Missing Children
May 8, 2025 – First Day of Scaled Back Search Missing Siblings Jack and Lilly Sullivan
May 8, 2025 – officers spoke with the family and it appeared they were Searching around the property and nearby woods
May 8, 2025 – Major Crimes always involved in Missing children Cases
May 9, 2025 – Ground search and rescue Missing N.S. kids
May 9, 2025 – Stepfather of missing N.S. children says he’ll do a polygraph test
May 13, 2025 – The Pictou County District RCMP, with the assistance of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, continue to investigate the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan.   Source
Martell expresses his belief that Lily and Jack may have been taken and urges authorities to expand the search area. Missing kids’ stepfather wants search area expanded
A brief interview where Martell speaks about the ongoing search efforts and his hopes for the children’s safe return. Stepdad speaks out on search for missing N.S. children
May 17, 2025 – Search teams returned to Lansdowne Station area on Saturday to look for Lilly and Jack Sullivan. Daniele Martell said: “I’m just hoping for something positive, a positive outcome that’s bringing the kids home,” Martell said. “That’s the main goal here. It’s the main goal. It’s just to find the truth.” Martell said rampant online speculation has been difficult for his family to deal with for the past two weeks. “It’s hard on everyone. It’s hard on me, it’s hard on Malehya [the children’s mother], it’s hard on the families,” he said. “I mean, it’s been hard on the search and rescue guys cause they don’t want to feel like they’re failing us for not finding anything.” Source
May 17, 2025 – RCMP Official Update Source
May 18, 2025 – RCM Official Update Source