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Palm Beach, FL – The 21-year-old North Carolina man shot and killed by Secret Service at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Sunday was reportedly grappling with personal tragedy and had a prior criminal history, according to emerging details about Austin Tucker Martin. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m., involved a breach of the perimeter and the discovery of a shotgun and gas can in Martin’s possession, prompting the Secret Service to open fire. The investigation is ongoing, but a picture is beginning to emerge of a young man haunted by loss and potentially motivated by online conspiracy theories.

Martin, from Cameron, North Carolina, came from a family deeply affected by tragedy. Just two years before his death, his older sister, Caitlin Renea Martin, was killed in a head-on car crash in August 2023. The loss profoundly impacted the family, and sources suggest it may have contributed to Martin’s state of mind leading up to the attempted breach of Mar-a-Lago. The incident raises questions about the motivations behind the attack and the potential role of personal struggles in radicalizing individuals.

A Family Shattered by Loss

Caitlin Martin, 21, died when a Ford F-150 truck, allegedly traveling without headlights, collided with her Toyota 4Runner on U.S. 1 near Vass, North Carolina, on August 23, 2023, according to a report from The Pilot. The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries, and no charges were immediately filed as the North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the collision. Family and friends described Caitlin as vibrant and adventurous, with a passion for life cut short. Her mother, Melissa Martin, created an Instagram account dedicated to spreading joy and positivity in her daughter’s memory, posting images of painted rocks hidden around the world.

The family’s final photograph together, posted by Melissa Martin on June 9, 2023, celebrated the graduation of her sons, Austin and Jacob Cade Martin, from Union Pines High School. The image stands as a poignant reminder of the family’s happiness before tragedy struck. Jacob, now 23, is currently in training to join the Army, according to social media posts. He is the sole surviving child of Melissa and Joshua Martin.

A Troubled Past and Potential Motivations

Law enforcement sources, speaking to the Daily Mail, indicated that Austin Tucker Martin had a prior criminal history, though details remain unconfirmed. Adding another layer to the investigation, a text message sent by Martin on February 15, uncovered by TMZ, suggests he may have been motivated by the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. “I don’t know if you read up on the Epstein Files, but evil is real and unmistakable,” Martin wrote, urging the recipient to raise awareness about the information.

Martin reportedly left his home in Cameron, North Carolina, at 1 p.m. On February 21, making final contact with family around 8 p.m. Before embarking on the approximately 700-mile drive to Mar-a-Lago. He allegedly purchased a shotgun during the journey. Family members became frantic when he failed to return, launching a search that culminated in the devastating news of his death.

What Comes Next

The Secret Service and local law enforcement are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Martin’s death, including his potential motivations and any connections to extremist groups or ideologies. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of security protocols at Mar-a-Lago and other high-profile locations. The investigation will likely focus on Martin’s online activity, communications, and any potential affiliations that may have contributed to his actions. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will seek to understand the full scope of the threat and prevent similar incidents in the future.

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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.