As November arrives in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the dense autumn foliage that once complicated search efforts now blankets the rural landscape in a somber hush. Six months have passed since siblings Lilly Sullivan, 6, and Jack Sullivan, 5, vanished from their family home in Lansdowne Station on the morning of May 2, 2025—a case that has left an indelible mark on the tight-knit community and drawn national scrutiny. Despite exhaustive investigations involving multiple RCMP units, advanced forensics, and a $150,000 provincial reward, the whereabouts of the children remain unknown, fueling a mix of quiet resolve and mounting calls for transparency from family and residents alike.

The disappearance unfolded quietly in the early hours at the family’s isolated property on Gairloch Road, a wooded area about 140 kilometers northeast of Halifax. According to the initial report, the children were last seen inside the home by their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, and stepfather, Daniel Martell, who were in their bedroom with the couple’s one-year-old daughter. Brooks-Murray alerted authorities around 8 a.m., stating that Lilly and Jack had likely stepped out unnoticed into the surrounding bush. Lilly, described as four feet tall with light brown hair and hazel eyes, was reportedly wearing a pink Barbie top, pink rubber boots with a rainbow print, and carrying a cream-colored backpack adorned with strawberries. Her younger brother Jack, three feet six inches tall with dark blonde hair and the same hazel eyes, was in a pull-up diaper and casual play clothes.

What began as a frantic ground search quickly escalated into one of the most extensive operations in recent Nova Scotia history. Over 150 personnel, including RCMP officers, local volunteers from the Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association, and specialized units like the Nova Scotia Guard, combed miles of rugged terrain in the days following the report. Helicopters buzzed overhead, drones scanned hard-to-reach areas, and police dogs tracked scents through streams and thickets. By May 6, the focus had intensified on the Cobequid Pass toll plaza, where authorities requested video footage from cameras capturing vehicles leaving the province between May 1 at 2:25 p.m. and May 3 at 3 a.m. Early theories centered on the children wandering off, given the property’s proximity to dense woods, but no traces—clothing, footprints, or personal items—turned up in the immediate vicinity.

As weeks turned to months, the RCMP’s Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit took the lead, classifying the case under the Missing Persons Act while treating it with the rigor of a high-priority inquiry. More than 11 specialized teams, including forensic analysts and the Criminal Analysis Service, have pored over digital records, witness statements, and physical evidence. Collaboration extends beyond provincial lines, involving RCMP detachments in New Brunswick and Ontario, the National Centre for Missing Persons, and the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Investigators have re-interviewed family members multiple times and expanded canvassing efforts to nearby towns. In August, court documents revealed additional details: a second fragment of a pink blanket believed to belong to Lilly was discovered in household trash, prompting further forensic review. Polygraph results from the parents were noted in these filings, though specifics remain sealed to protect the ongoing probe.

Publicly, the RCMP has maintained a measured tone, emphasizing the investigation’s complexity. Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon, the district commander, addressed a recent vigil crowd, assuring attendees that “a tremendous amount of careful, deliberate work” continues daily. In a July update, the force reiterated its commitment, partnering with municipal agencies and urging tips through anonymous channels like Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or the P3 Tips app. Yet, with no arrests, no named persons of interest, and scant public disclosures, frustration simmers. “We deserve answers,” echoed one attendee at an October memorial, capturing a sentiment shared by many in Pictou County’s 43,000 residents, where word travels fast along winding roads and community halls.

Family dynamics have added layers to the narrative. Brooks-Murray and Martell, who had been together for years in a blended household, reported the children missing jointly. However, tensions surfaced early: Martell told media on May 6 that Brooks-Murray had relocated to another part of the province to stay with relatives and had blocked him on social media. He initially speculated about abduction, suggesting monitoring the New Brunswick border and airports, but later pivoted. By the October 29 vigil—coinciding with Jack’s fifth birthday—Martell expressed skepticism about the wandering theory. “I don’t believe they wandered off anymore,” he said, vowing to advocate publicly despite facing questions himself. Brooks-Murray, in a poignant Facebook post from the “Find Lilly and Jack Sullivan” page, described the endless nights without her children in their beds, her words resonating with thousands of followers seeking resolution.

The biological father, Cody Sullivan, also came under early scrutiny. On May 3, a tip suggested the children might be with him in New Brunswick, though the informant lacked evidence and urged police to check “every possibility.” Sullivan met with investigators on May 22, stating he hadn’t seen Brooks-Murray or the children in three years, despite paying child support—a detail that contrasted with her initial account. He confirmed being home the night of May 1 and emphasized his routine stability. No charges have followed, and the RCMP has dismissed rumors of a suspicious vehicle near the home as unsubstantiated.

Pictou County’s rural isolation—its labyrinth of trails, seasonal creeks, and limited surveillance—presents inherent challenges. Statistics from the RCMP highlight that missing persons cases in remote areas often endure longer due to sparse witnesses and vast search zones. The Sullivan home’s setting, amid rolling hills and evergreen thickets, mirrors broader issues in Atlantic Canada, where child safety nets like community patrols and better property barriers are under discussion. Premier Tim Houston addressed the province in May, noting the collective prayers for a positive outcome, while Attorney General Becky Druhan announced the reward in June to incentivize leads.

Community response has been a beacon amid the uncertainty. The October 29 vigil at the Stellarton RCMP detachment drew about 40 people, including family on both sides. Under pastel skies, five blue balloons—symbolizing hope—were released as children crafted birthday cards for Jack. Belynda Gray, the paternal grandmother, recited an original poem pledging unwavering search efforts: “We hold steadfast the pictures of Lilly and Jack, seeking answers to bringing them back.” Maternal aunt Haley Ferdinand, wearing a shirt with school photos of the siblings, shared the daily ache: “All the days are the same… You just want answers, and we have nothing.” A growing memorial features stuffed animals, toy cars evoking Jack’s interests, and crafts nodding to Lilly’s creativity, relocated indoors for winter by local business Amtek Ltd.

Earlier gatherings, like the June event organized by residents Janice Pottie and Brenda MacPhee, swelled from 50 to larger crowds, blending prayers with personal tributes. Warden Robert Parker praised these as testaments to communal care: “This shows how deeply we all feel this.” Online, the dedicated Facebook page amplifies pleas, while national media from CBC to CTV keeps the story alive. On X (formerly Twitter), recent discussions link the case to other unresolved child disappearances, with users like @MichAfterDark sharing in-depth videos analyzing family perspectives and neighbor accounts.

Lilly and Jack’s pre-disappearance life evoked simple joys. Students at Salt Springs Elementary, Lilly shone in art, her outgoing nature filling classrooms with laughter, while Jack’s energy lit up playgrounds with his fascination for vehicles. Family snapshots capture them painting side by side, their bond a vivid reminder of what’s at stake. This normalcy in a blended family—parents separated amicably, with Sullivan nearby—heightens the void, transforming Lansdowne Station into a quiet epicenter of advocacy.

Six months in, the probe’s trajectory suggests no quick end. RCMP updates, promised quarterly, stress patience for “deliberate” progress, but advocates like Kent Corbett, who helped with the memorial, counter that visibility drives tips: “We’re all in this together.” Plans for expanded media appeals and awareness drives loom, potentially leveraging holiday seasons for broader reach. In a region resilient against harsh winters, the collective spirit endures—candles lit not just in memory, but in pursuit of dawn.

The question “Where are Lilly and Jack?” hangs heavier with each passing day, a prompt for anyone holding a fragment of information to step forward. Contact Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060 or Crime Stoppers anonymously. Until answers emerge, Pictou County—and Nova Scotia—holds space for two small lives, undimmed by time.