The search for four-year-old Gus Lamont has taken a dramatic turn, with his grandmother, Josie Murray, now facing firearms charges. The developments come as police investigations into the boy’s disappearance intensify, revealing a complex past for the 75-year-old and raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding Gus’s vanishing from the family’s remote South Australian property.
A recently surfaced photograph appears to offer a glimpse into Josie Murray’s life before her transition, identifying her as Robert ‘Snow’ Murray in a 1994 Australia Day photo. This revelation, coupled with the new legal challenges, adds another layer to a case that has captivated the nation and prompted a large-scale search effort across the vast South Australian outback. The investigation into Gus Lamont’s disappearance is now classified as a ‘major crime,’ with police suspecting foul play.
Three independent sources in the Yunta community have confirmed the identity of the man in the photograph, dated January 26, 1994, as Josie Murray, then known as Robert ‘Snow’ Murray. One local immediately recognized the figure, stating, “That’s Snow/Josie Murray.” At the time, Josie, in her early 40s, was already the mother of Jessica Murray, who would later become Gus’s mother. According to reports, Josie worked as a builder and sheep-station worker during those years and began her formal gender transition in the early 2000s.
One local resident described Josie as courageous, noting she openly discussed her decision with friends in the traditionally masculine environment of the Mid North region. “I’m sure no-one would have said anything to her face back in the day – she would have knocked a few old truckies out at the front bar!” they added.
Josie Murray has lived a relatively quiet life on Oak Park Station, a 60,000-hectare property running approximately 10,000 sheep, alongside her partner Shannon Murray, 73, and later, her daughter Jessica. The family’s history is deeply rooted in the land; Shannon inherited the station from her mother, Clair Pfeiffer, whose family had owned the property since WWII. Josie grew up in Mt Crawford, attending Birdwood Primary School with her sister, and her family had connections to merino sheep producers in Mt Bryan, 140km from Yunta, where she and Shannon first met.
Disappearance and Escalating Investigation
Gus Lamont was last seen playing on a sandpile in front of the family homestead around 5pm on September 27, 2025. Police now believe Gus has died and suspect someone known to him was involved in his disappearance. Two family members have reportedly stopped cooperating with the police investigation, according to SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke previously confirmed that one family member had ceased cooperation, leading to the classification of the case as a ‘major crime.’
Notably, Gus’s parents, Jessica Murray and Joshua Lamont, are not considered suspects and are assisting detectives with the investigation. Both Josie and Shannon Murray have retained separate legal counsel, a common practice in such circumstances, and released a statement expressing their devastation at SAPOL’s recent announcements.
Shotgun Incident and Weapons Charge
The investigation has been marked by tense encounters with the media. In October 2025, Josie Murray brandished a shotgun when approached by a Daily Mail reporter seeking comment, shouting, “Are you deaf? Shut your face.” Earlier that month, she reportedly threatened to “forcibly remove” another Daily Mail reporter from the property.
On February 19, 2026, Josie Murray was charged with weapons offenses unrelated to Gus’s disappearance or the October incident. She is scheduled to appear in Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on May 6, facing charges related to possessing a prohibited “silencer” or firearm sound moderator, illegal since the 1996 gun laws. A suppressor can carry a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail or a fine of up to $75,000 if convicted.
The charge has surprised the Yunta community, with some local station owners arguing that farmers should be permitted to own suppressors for pest control. “We have to shoot the feral goats, pigs and foxes around here,” one grazier explained. “We often do it from inside the cabin of a vehicle because you don’t have a lot of time and it helps to have something to lean on.”
What’s Next in the Gus Lamont Case
Detectives recently returned to Oak Park Station with a cadaver dog, inspecting an area of freshly-laid cement and conducting further ground and air searches. While no new evidence was found, Major Crime detectives are expected to continue frequent visits to the region. The investigation remains active, and authorities are appealing for any information that may assist in determining the circumstances surrounding Gus Lamont’s disappearance.
The case continues to draw significant attention, and the community remains deeply affected by the ongoing search. As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge, potentially shedding light on the events leading up to Gus’s disappearance and the charges now facing his grandmother.
We encourage readers to share any information they may have with South Australia Police and to offer support to the affected families during this difficult time.
