The investigation into the disappearance of Lily and Jack Sullivan entered a more serious and defined phase after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed it is examining accounts of a reported bathroom incident that occurred during the critical hours before the children vanished.

According to multiple family members interviewed by investigators, Malehya Brooks-Murray disclosed that she discovered Daniel Martell using drugs in a bathroom on the night in question. These accounts, now formally documented by police, are considered part of the broader effort to reconstruct what investigators describe as a crucial timeline.

The reported incident is said to have occurred sometime between midnight and the early morning hours. While sources differ on the precise time — some recalling it as shortly after midnight, others estimating closer to 4 a.m. — all family members interviewed by RCMP agree on the substance of what was witnessed. Investigators have acknowledged these inconsistencies in timing but emphasize that the consistency of the underlying account is significant.

Police confirmed that the family members who received this information from Brooks-Murray have been interviewed as part of the active investigation. The focus, authorities say, is not on isolated details but on how these moments fit into a larger sequence of events leading up to the disappearance of the children.

Staff Sergeant Rob McCamon, speaking on behalf of the RCMP, said investigators are now “forming pictures of what may have taken place” during that night. He also indicated that police are considering the matter through the lens of “long-term justice,” a phrase that underscores the seriousness of the investigative direction.

The hours between midnight and 10 a.m. have emerged as a focal point in the case. Investigators believe this window represents a period during which key actions, decisions, or omissions may have occurred — actions that could explain why Lily and Jack were no longer accounted for later that morning. Authorities have not disclosed specific conclusions but have made clear that the timeline during these hours is being scrutinized in detail.

This approach marks a continued shift away from earlier assumptions that framed the case as a search for children who may have wandered off. Instead, police are now reconstructing events hour by hour, evaluating behavior, movements, and reported observations to understand what may have unfolded behind closed doors.

Investigators stress that discrepancies in recollected times are not uncommon in high-stress situations, particularly when accounts are shared after the fact. What matters, they say, is whether the accounts align in substance and whether they can be corroborated through additional evidence, including digital data and physical indicators.

The bathroom incident, as described by family members, has not been characterized publicly by RCMP as a crime in itself. Rather, it is being assessed as a contextual element — a detail that may help explain behavior, decision-making, or impairment during a critical window of time. Authorities have declined to specify what substances were allegedly involved, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

RCMP officials reiterated that the investigation remains active and methodical. The phrase “forming pictures,” used by McCamon, reflects a process of assembling individual details into a coherent narrative rather than drawing conclusions from any single report. Police say this approach is essential in cases where direct evidence may be limited or where timelines rely heavily on human recollection.

The mention of “long-term justice” suggests that investigators are considering not only immediate answers but potential accountability down the line. While no charges have been announced and no formal accusations have been made, the language used by police indicates a case-building posture rather than a continued search-only effort.

For the Sullivan family and the broader public, the confirmation that RCMP is examining these overnight events provides clarity about the direction of the investigation. It also reinforces why investigators believe those specific hours — from midnight until later that morning — matter so deeply.

Authorities caution that the presence of an incident does not equate to a conclusion. Instead, it represents one piece of a complex puzzle that includes timelines, digital footprints, witness statements, and physical evidence. Each element, investigators say, must be weighed carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

As the investigation continues, RCMP has asked for patience, noting that cases involving children require both urgency and restraint. While public interest remains intense, officials emphasize that premature disclosure could compromise the integrity of the process.

What is now clear is that the case of Lily and Jack Sullivan is no longer defined by uncertainty alone. Investigators are narrowing their focus, examining specific events, and methodically working toward a clearer understanding of what occurred during the hours that may ultimately hold the key to the truth.