The disappearance of siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan from rural Nova Scotia has captivated public attention for over a year, and a newly highlighted detail — an 11:32 PM phone call — is now sparking fresh scrutiny of the investigation and the evidence that has been publicly disclosed. The case, which began with a frantic search in May 2025, remains unresolved, and many unanswered questions continue to shape both community concerns and investigative priorities.

Authorities in Nova Scotia initially launched a large-scale search in May 2025 after six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan were reported missing from their home in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County. The children’s disappearance from a rural property, surrounded by woods and little cell service, prompted nearby communities and national agencies to join efforts to locate them.

At the time, police treated the case as a vulnerable missing persons situation, indicating that the children were believed to have wandered away from home. However, no evidence of abduction was found, and by early announcements, officials had not ruled out suspicious circumstances.

Chronology of the Search and Investigation

According to official records, on May 2, 2025, the siblings were last seen at their home. A 911 call reporting them missing was placed around 10:00 a.m. that same day. Early investigative efforts included interviews with over 50 individuals, polygraph tests administered to select witnesses, and scrutiny of surveillance footage from areas surrounding the property.

Despite the scale of the search and participation by experienced search and rescue teams, no trace of the children was found in the densely wooded areas near their home. Police acknowledged that the environment posed serious challenges and indicated that determining what happened to the children might take longer than initially hoped.

Breaking Down the 11:32 PM Phone Call

Among the evidence referenced in investigation documents — and noted in commentary accompanying video breakdowns — is mention of a phone conversation at 11:32 PM that has been described as potentially pivotal to understanding the timeline surrounding the siblings’ disappearance.

While authorities have not publicly released full transcripts or official context for this particular call, analysts and concerned observers have pointed to it as a point where the known timeline becomes less clear. In active missing persons investigations, such late–night phone activity can become a focal point as investigators review communication patterns, phone metadata, and connections between individuals involved in or aware of the case.

In many cases, phone calls logged outside usual time windows — particularly those late at night — trigger interest because they may offer insight into movements or emotional states that are not otherwise documented by surveillance or physical evidence. Investigators use such data to cross-reference witness statements, technological records, and other leads.

Court Documents Shed Light — and Cast Shadows

In August 2025, portions of the court documents related to the Sullivan investigation were released, sparking debate about what authorities know and what remains secret. These documents included internal police filings and warrant applications that provided glimpses into evidence collected and the lines of inquiry pursued by investigators.

However, many sections were heavily redacted, leaving gaps in public understanding. Portions dealing with digital communications, including text messages, phone logs, and itemized evidence, were partially withheld. Authorities cited ongoing investigative needs and privacy concerns as reasons for the continued secrecy.

The release did confirm that investigators had seized and examined many materials — including video, phone records, and other electronic data — though the full extent of what they reveal has not been publicly detailed.

Witness Statements and New Perspectives

Additional material released to media included summaries of witness accounts that had not previously been disclosed. Some nearby residents reported hearing vehicles in the vicinity of the Sullivan home in the early morning hours before the disappearance was discovered. These recordings and statements do not establish conclusions but contribute to a fuller — if still incomplete — picture of the environment and potential activity around the time the children vanished.

According to one witness, flashes of vehicle noise were heard late at night, a detail that has raised questions about movements on the property before sunrise. Another witness corroborated having heard similar sounds in the early hours of May 2. Investigators obtained these statements as part of warrant applications to extend searches of phone records, banking activity, and vehicle tracking — all tools used in modern missing persons inquiries.

Forensic and investigative units, including the RCMP Major Crime Unit and Criminal Analysis Service, have indicated that they are coordinating with multiple agencies and reviewing significant volumes of data from various sources.

How the 11:32 Call Fits Into the Broader Investigation

Experts in digital forensics emphasize that phone logs and call metadata can reveal patterns of behavior or connections not visible through other investigative means. Calls made outside typical waking hours, like the 11:32 PM phone call, may become crucial when evaluating the sequence of events. Such calls are analyzed for connections to other people, duration, location data (when available), and any callbacks or subsequent messages.

In the Sullivan case, that late-night phone call has attracted attention because it falls outside the previously documented timeline of daytime activity leading up to the disappearance. It is one of the few timestamps not directly tied to physical sightings of the children. This has led some observers to ask why it has not been fully explained or publicly contextualized by investigators, contributing to the sense that “missing pieces” remain.

What Authorities Have Said — and What They Have Not

Official public statements have acknowledged that the search and investigation are ongoing and may take longer than initially expected. RCMP representatives have noted that review of video footage, interviews, and other evidence continues and that multiple search initiatives remain active. However, law enforcement has been cautious about disclosing specifics concerning phone records, witness interviews, and the status of potential suspects. This is in part due to legal restrictions about publicizing elements of an active investigation, and in part due to the desire to avoid compromising ongoing work.

At one point, RCMP officials indicated that they did not yet have reasonable grounds to classify the disappearance as criminal in nature. However, as the investigation evolved and additional evidence was gathered and scrutinized, some outside experts have suggested that criminal elements cannot be ruled out.

A Reward and Calls for Public Assistance

In October 2025, the Government of Nova Scotia offered a reward — up to $150,000 — for information of investigative value regarding the disappearance of the siblings. This reflects both the complexity of the case and ongoing efforts to encourage witnesses or individuals with knowledge to come forward.

Public assistance remains a critical component in cases involving missing children, and investigators have appealed to communities for tips that may help fill gaps in the timeline or clarify unexplained details. Calls, messages, and anonymous tips are all evaluated as possible leads.

Why the Call at 11:32 PM Resonates

For families, community members, and armchair investigators alike, the 11:32 PM call has come to symbolize one of the unanswered questions in an otherwise opaque sequence. It serves as a reminder that digital records can offer clues where physical evidence is absent, potentially illuminating moments that cameras, eyewitnesses, or standard timelines do not capture.

It also reflects how modern investigations often hinge on seemingly small datapoints that — when properly contextualized — can tip understanding in new directions. Whether or not that particular call will ultimately lead to resolution, it has undeniably become part of the ongoing narrative of a case that continues to grip attention.

Looking Forward

As the RCMP and partner agencies continue their work, new information may eventually clarify not only the meaning of the 11:32 PM phone call but also the broader sequence of events surrounding Lilly and Jack Sullivan’s disappearance. Until then, investigators emphasize that every lead, piece of evidence, and testimony remains part of a meticulous review process.

The missing pieces may still be out there — but with each analytical step, authorities and the public alike seek a clearer picture of what really happened to the two children last seen in rural Nova Scotia over a year ago.