Newly examined surveillance footage has become a central focus in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Lily and Jack Sullivan, raising fresh questions about the timeline provided by their stepfather, Daniel Martell. According to documents reviewed by investigators, a security camera at a gas station approximately 30 kilometers from the Sullivan home captured a pickup truck matching the description of Martell’s vehicle on the night the children were last seen.

The timestamp on the footage reads May 1, 2025, at 11:47 p.m. In the grainy video, a figure exits the vehicle, pumps fuel, and briefly enters the store before driving away. While the identity of the individual cannot be confirmed solely through the footage, investigators have stated that the vehicle is “consistent with” Martell’s truck and that the movement of the vehicle aligns with patterns obtained from other data sources they are still analyzing.

Authorities say this footage does not constitute proof of wrongdoing, nor does it indicate a conclusion regarding the children’s disappearance. However, it conflicts with a statement provided by Martell, who told investigators he had remained home that night. The inconsistency has therefore become a point of interest, prompting further interviews and cross-referencing of digital data, including phone records and vehicle telematics.

Investigators emphasize that in missing-person cases, timelines are critical. Any unexplained or contradictory movements—whether intentional, accidental, or simply misremembered—can affect how resources are deployed and what leads are prioritized. In this case, the footage has prompted questions about where Martell went that night, whether he traveled alone, and why he did not disclose the trip when first interviewed.

The investigation into Lily and Jack’s disappearance has already encompassed multiple avenues, including searches of wooded areas, lakes, roadside trails, and residential zones. Police have conducted dozens of interviews and have appealed repeatedly for information from the public. The children were reported missing the morning after the footage was recorded, and the window between their last confirmed sighting and the discovery of the gas-station footage has become a crucial part of the timeline.

Authorities say they are not identifying any suspects at this stage, reiterating that Martell has not been charged in connection with the disappearance. They stress that gathering accurate timelines often reveals discrepancies simply due to stress, confusion, or memory lapses. As one investigator noted, “People under emotional strain don’t always recall their movements perfectly. That alone does not imply wrongdoing.”

Nevertheless, the newly surfaced footage has led to renewed scrutiny. Investigators are reviewing the gas station’s transaction logs, employee statements, and additional camera angles to determine whether the individual captured on video can be conclusively identified. They are also analyzing Martell’s phone activity from that night, including call records, data usage, tower pings, and app-location metadata. Law enforcement officials say this process can take days or weeks, depending on the volume of data involved.

The location of the gas station—roughly a 25–30 minute drive from the Sullivan residence under normal conditions—has raised further questions about why Martell may have traveled that distance at that hour. Investigators have not commented on whether they believe the trip is connected to the children’s disappearance or if it was routine travel unrelated to the case. They note that the existence of a trip alone is not enough to draw conclusions.

Meanwhile, community concern continues to grow as the search for the children enters another week. Volunteer teams have assisted police in combing through large areas of rural land. Posters featuring photos of the children remain visible across local businesses and public spaces, while community forums have been flooded with discussion, concern, and offers of assistance. Local authorities have urged community members to refrain from speculation, warning that misinformation can hinder search efforts.

Family members, meanwhile, have expressed frustration and fear as they await updates from investigators. They describe Lily and Jack as energetic, close-knit siblings who enjoy exploring outdoors, riding bikes, and spending time with friends. The family has asked for privacy and has provided limited public statements, citing emotional strain and a desire to avoid interfering with the active investigation.

Detectives are also reviewing home security camera footage from neighboring properties, hoping to identify movement in or out of the Sullivan residence on the night in question. Associate investigators have contacted nearby gas stations, convenience stores, and rest stops to obtain additional surveillance that may provide context or clarity. In cases involving rural communities, such camera footage can be sparse, making every located clip potentially significant.

Authorities have underscored that even seemingly unrelated footage can become useful. A car passing by, a timestamp in the background, or even a reflected image can help verify—or contradict—statements given during interviews. As such, the footage of the truck at the gas station is being analyzed alongside all other available data to determine whether the sighting can be definitively connected to Martell.

Experts in missing-persons investigations note that time discrepancies are not unusual. In many cases, individuals misjudge when they were home, when they went to bed, or when they last saw someone. Investigators must therefore approach such inconsistencies carefully, distinguishing between red flags and ordinary human error. The difference can determine the direction of a case, which is why establishing a verified timeline is often one of the most critical—and challenging—steps.

Authorities are also examining fuel receipts, loyalty card data, ATM records, and regional traffic-camera data from surrounding roads. While much of this information may ultimately prove irrelevant, it forms part of the evidentiary mosaic investigators rely on to build a full picture.

As the investigation continues, public attention remains sharply focused on the case, driven in part by emotional appeals from extended family members and the widespread circulation of the children’s photos online. Community members have organized prayer vigils, support groups, and assistance networks, determined to maintain energy around the search.

Police have reiterated that the top priority remains locating Lily and Jack. They have asked that anyone who traveled through the region on the night of May 1st, or who may have witnessed unusual activity near the Sullivan home or the gas-station corridor, contact investigators. Even minor details—such as a vehicle seen in passing or a person walking along the roadside—may help refine the evolving timeline.

As for the midnight footage, investigators caution that one video clip cannot serve as the basis for conclusions. Rather, they describe it as one piece of evidence among hundreds—some useful, some contextual, and some ultimately inconsequential. Whether the footage will prove pivotal or peripheral remains to be seen.

“The purpose of a timeline is not to assign blame,” one investigator said. “It’s to find the children.”

With no major breakthroughs yet announced, the community waits anxiously for updates. The investigation remains active, detailed, and far from over, with authorities continuing to review every moment, every clue, and every mile traveled in the hours before Lily and Jack disappeared.

For now, the footage from 11:47 p.m. stands as one of the most scrutinized moments in the case. Whether it holds the key to understanding what happened—or simply highlights the complexity of tracing events after the fact—remains in the hands of investigators still piecing together the final movements before the children vanished.