The heartbreaking search for missing Nova Scotia siblings Lilly Sullivan (6) and Jack Sullivan (5) has taken a chilling turn in public perception, with revelations that their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, left the family property shortly after reporting them missing – a move experts describe as “highly unusual” for parents in such crises. While most mothers and fathers refuse to leave the search site, desperate to stay close in case of breakthroughs, Brooks-Murray reportedly departed the Lansdowne Station home to stay with family in another part of Nova Scotia just days after the May 2, 2025, disappearance. Was she overwhelmed by grief… or did she know something others didn’t? As the case enters its eighth month with no trace of the children, this detail has fueled endless speculation online, dividing opinions between sympathy for a devastated mom and questions about why she walked away when every second counted.

The Sullivan children vanished from their rural Gairloch Road trailer in Pictou County, a remote spot surrounded by thick woods and waterways, on the morning of May 2. Brooks-Murray called 911 at 10:01 a.m., saying she briefly lost sight of Lilly and Jack while caring for their baby sister, believing they wandered off through a sliding door. Massive searches followed – hundreds of volunteers, K9 units, drones, helicopters – but nothing turned up. Stepfather Daniel Martell told media on May 6 that Brooks-Murray left the property soon after to be with her family elsewhere in Nova Scotia, and even blocked him on social media. “She needed support from her side,” sources close to the case explain, but experts in missing persons investigations note it’s rare for a reporting parent to distance themselves physically from the epicenter so quickly.

“Most parents refuse to leave the site – they camp out, join searches, stay glued to every update,” a former RCMP missing persons specialist told outlets. “Leaving the property as operations ramp up is highly unusual and can raise flags, even if it’s just for emotional reasons.” In high-profile cases like Samantha Murphy’s in Australia, families often scour bushland themselves or remain on-site. Brooks-Murray’s departure – amid polygraphs for her, Martell, and biological father Cody Sullivan all indicating truthfulness – has sparked theories: Overwhelmed by trauma? Seeking privacy? Or something more? She later shared pleas on the “Find Lilly and Jack” Facebook page, expressing hope, but has followed police advice to limit media since.

No foul play is suspected publicly, with RCMP calling it “extremely rare” and focusing on wander-off scenarios. A $150,000 reward stands, tips assessed for value. Paternal grandmother Belynda Gray voiced lost hope in December 2025 interviews, while Brooks-Murray’s side stays silent.

As Christmas 2025 passes without Lilly and Jack, the “unusual” move lingers in debates. Families urge fact-focus over speculation. Tips to RCMP anonymously. Hope for answers endures. What do you think – grief or red flag? Comment below 👇🌲 #LillyJackSullivan #NovaScotiaMystery #MissingKids