In a devastating turn that has gripped Canada and beyond, newly released court documents from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have unveiled troubling allegations of domestic abuse in the household where six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother Jack vanished more than eight months ago. The siblings disappeared from their rural home in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, on the morning of May 2, 2025, reportedly wandering away while their mother and stepfather slept nearby with their infant daughter.

The unsealed files, made public following media applications to lift redactions, include excerpts from police interviews with the children’s mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray. In them, she alleges that her common-law partner of three years, Daniel Martell—the children’s stepfather—had been physically abusive at times during their relationship. Specific claims describe instances where he allegedly held her down or hurt her physically amid escalating arguments. These are unproven accusations drawn from search warrant applications and investigative notes, painting a picture of a volatile home environment in the lead-up to the children’s disappearance.

Martell, however, has firmly denied any physical violence. In statements to authorities and recent media interviews, he acknowledged frequent verbal fights and yelling between the couple but insisted there was never any physical harm inflicted. He expressed full trust in the RCMP’s ongoing probe and reiterated his commitment to finding answers about Lilly and Jack.

Despite the emotional weight of these revelations, the case has not escalated to a formal criminal investigation. RCMP officials stress it remains classified under Nova Scotia’s Missing Persons Act, with no “reasonable grounds” yet to believe a crime occurred—though they emphasize that the possibility has not been ruled out. If new evidence emerges pointing to foul play, persons of interest could be identified, authorities have noted.

The investigation has been exhaustive: over 75 interviews conducted, polygraph tests administered, cadaver dogs deployed, lakes and rural areas scoured, more than 1,000 tips reviewed, and thousands of video files analyzed. Multiple RCMP units from across provinces have joined forces, and a provincial reward of up to $150,000 still stands for credible information leading to resolution.

Eight months on, the silence is deafening. No trace of the bright-eyed siblings has surfaced—no sightings, no clues, no closure for their devastated family and community. The new documents offer a glimpse into family tensions but raise more heartbreaking questions than answers: Were the children truly lost in the wilderness, or is something far darker at play? As winter deepens in Nova Scotia, the desperate search for Lilly and Jack continues, fueled by a mother’s anguish, a stepfather’s denials, and a nation’s collective hope that these innocent lives will one day be brought home.

The RCMP urges anyone with information to come forward immediately. For now, two small faces remain etched in every headline—a poignant reminder that some mysteries cut deeper than words can express.