Missing Children in Nova Scotia Update – Latest on Sullivan Siblings Case

What Is the Latest Update on Missing Children in Nova Scotia?

The case of two young siblings who vanished from their home in rural Pictou County remains the most prominent missing children investigation in Nova Scotia for 2025. Six-year-old Jack Sullivan and his five-year-old sister Lilly disappeared from their Lansdowne Station residence on May 2, 2025. As of late 2025, RCMP investigators have received more than 1,030 tips and conducted extensive searches across the region, though neither child has been located.

Superintendent Dan Morrow, a 33-year veteran with the RCMP, described the case as unprecedented in his career. The investigation has drawn national and international attention, with authorities maintaining that the case remains active and is being pursued methodically. Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon emphasized that investigators are not treating this as a cold case, with substantial resources still dedicated to resolving the matter.

No suspects have been named publicly, though RCMP has confirmed that abduction is among the scenarios under active consideration. The province responded by adding the case to its rewards program in June 2025, offering up to $150,000 for information leading to a resolution.

• Two children missing from Lansdowne Station, Pictou County since May 2, 2025
• Over 1,030 tips received by RCMP investigators
• 86 formal interviews conducted as part of the investigation
• More than 8,100 videos reviewed by police
• Province offering reward of up to $150,000 for information
• Investigation described as largest case in Nova Scotia RCMP for 2025
• No named suspects; abduction remains a possibility under active consideration

Who Are the Currently Missing Children and What Are the Case Details?

Jack Sullivan was six years old at the time of his disappearance, while his sister Lilly was five. The siblings vanished without apparent explanation from their family home in Lansdowne Station, a rural community in Pictou County located near the town of Stellarton. The case has been classified by RCMP as extremely rare, prompting one of the most intensive investigative responses in the province’s recent history.

For the latest update on missing children in Nova Scotia, investigators have emphasized that they remain committed to finding answers despite the passage of time. The children’s stepfather, Daniel Martell, has maintained a public presence throughout the investigation, appealing for any information that might help locate the siblings.

Where Did the Disappearance Occur?

The children’s home sits in a rural setting characterized by densely wooded terrain. Lansdowne Station falls within Pictou County, a region in northern Nova Scotia known for its mixture of agricultural land and forested areas. The remoteness of the location has complicated search efforts, with investigators initially focusing on a four-square-kilometre area surrounding the property.

The terrain includes rolling hills, dense forest cover, and several water features that have all been systematically searched by investigators. Local residents have described the area as quiet and close-knit, making the children’s disappearance particularly shocking to community members who have participated in search efforts and vigils.

Was an Amber Alert Issued?

No immediate Amber Alert was issued following the children’s disappearance. Family members have reported being told that an alert would be broadcast, though RCMP has not commented specifically on why one was not activated. Standard Amber Alert criteria typically require credible evidence of abduction and immediate danger, factors that may have influenced the decision not to issue an alert in the immediate aftermath.

What Is the Investigation Status and Has an Amber Alert Been Issued?

RCMP investigators have pursued multiple leads since the children’s disappearance, deploying specialized resources including drones, police dogs, and helicopters during the initial search phase. The search effort was eventually scaled back after six days when the likelihood of survival was assessed as very low, though authorities have consistently maintained they are not abandoning the investigation.

Search Efforts and Results

Initial searches conducted between May 2 and May 8, 2025, covered approximately four square kilometres of wooded terrain using aerial and ground resources. In September 2025, human remains detection dogs were brought in to search a broader forty-kilometre radius around the family home. The October deployment of these animals yielded no remains, leading the children’s stepfather Daniel Martell to state publicly that he no longer believed the siblings were located in the nearby woods given the thoroughness of the searches.

In November 2025, the Ontario-based non-profit organization Please Bring Me Home, which has helped locate missing persons in over fifty cases since 2018, organized an independent search effort. Representatives described the Sullivan case as one of the most difficult they had encountered. The organization utilized specialized equipment and volunteers who have experience in challenging terrain across Canada.

To understand the scope of coordinated emergency responses in similar situations, officials have referenced broader public safety initiatives in Canada that demonstrate the level of resources typically deployed in high-profile missing persons cases.

Suspects and Persons of Interest

As of late 2025, no suspects have been publicly named in connection with the case. RCMP has stated that abduction remains among the scenarios being actively considered, though investigators have not confirmed this theory. Seven polygraph examinations have been conducted, with all subjects passing, indicating no deception detected. A DNA sample has also been collected, though specific details about its analysis or significance have not been disclosed.

The lack of named suspects has led to speculation, but authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions without verified information. RCMP has emphasized that investigative work continues behind the scenes, with detectives following up on leads that may not be immediately apparent to the public.

Timeline of the Missing Children Investigation in Nova Scotia

The investigation into the disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan has unfolded across multiple months, with significant developments occurring throughout 2025. Understanding the progression of events helps contextualize the scope and complexity of the case.

1. May 2, 2025: Jack and Lilly Sullivan disappear from their home in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County. No Amber Alert is issued immediately.
2. May 2–8, 2025: Extensive search operation covers four square kilometres using drones, police dogs, helicopters, and regional volunteers. Search scaled back after six days with survival likelihood deemed very low.
3. June 2025: Province adds case to rewards program, offering up to $150,000 for information leading to resolution. RCMP confirms all scenarios being considered, including abduction.
4. September 2025: Human remains detection dogs search a forty-kilometre area near the family home.
5. October 29, 2025: Remains detection dogs find no evidence. Community vigil held on Jack’s fifth birthday. Stepfather Daniel Martell states he no longer believes children are in nearby woods.
6. November 2025: Please Bring Me Home organizes independent search effort, calling it one of the most difficult cases in their experience.
7. December 2025: RCMP provides update confirming investigation ongoing, with Superintendent Dan Morrow calling case unprecedented in his 33-year career.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?

Despite extensive investigation, significant gaps remain in the case. The exact circumstances of how two young children could disappear without trace from a rural home have not been publicly explained. Whether the children left voluntarily, were taken by someone they knew, or were abducted by a stranger remains officially undetermined.

Investigators continue to analyze evidence and follow leads as they develop. The case file remains open, with detectives periodically reviewing new information that may emerge through the tip line or ongoing investigative work. Families of missing children often describe the uncertainty as the most difficult aspect, and support organizations emphasize the importance of maintaining awareness even as time passes.

How Can the Public Assist in Missing Children Cases?

RCMP continues to appeal to the public for information that could advance the investigation. Anyone with knowledge of unusual activity in the Lansdowne Station area on or around May 2, 2025, is encouraged to come forward. Even seemingly insignificant details could prove valuable to investigators reviewing the growing volume of evidence.

How to Report Information

Tips can be submitted to RCMP through their dedicated channels. The investigation has generated more than 1,030 tips from the public, demonstrating the importance of community participation. Reports can be made anonymously, and the substantial reward offered by the province may incentivize individuals with relevant knowledge to step forward.

Community-organized search efforts, such as those coordinated by Please Bring Me Home, represent another avenue for public involvement. These groups work alongside official investigators to cover ground that may have been missed or to bring additional resources to challenging terrain. Volunteers interested in supporting missing persons investigations can connect with organizations that specialize in these efforts.

Resources for Families

Organizations supporting families of missing children provide guidance and assistance throughout such investigations. These groups can help families navigate communication with investigators, organize community support, and maintain public awareness as cases continue over extended periods. Resources include victim services, counseling, and legal assistance where applicable.

For those seeking more information about missing children cases in Nova Scotia, official channels and verified news sources provide regular updates as investigations develop.

Sources and Official Statements

“We are not giving up.”

— RCMP spokesperson, May 2025

“This is unprecedented in my career.”

— Superintendent Dan Morrow, RCMP Nova Scotia, December 2025

“All scenarios are being considered.”

— RCMP, June 2025 update

Information in this report draws from RCMP press conferences, official provincial announcements, and reporting from Global News and Nova Scotia government sources. Official provincial announcements confirmed the reward program addition in June 2025.

Historical context on search and rescue operations can be found in coverage of past maritime recovery efforts, while additional information on Canadian missing persons cases is available through the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General.

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection provides resources on missing children awareness, while the RCMP website offers information on how the public can assist in investigations.

Summary

The disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan from their home in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, on May 2, 2025, remains one of Nova Scotia’s most significant unsolved missing children cases. RCMP has committed substantial resources to the investigation, collecting over 1,030 tips and conducting more than 86 formal interviews. Despite extensive ground and aerial searches, including the use of human remains detection dogs, neither child has been located. The province has offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to resolution. Investigators continue to pursue all scenarios, including abduction, though no suspects have been publicly named. The case has been described by senior RCMP officials as unprecedented in their experience and remains an active investigation as of late 2025.