LANDOWN STATION, NOVA SCOTIA â What began as a desperate community-wide search has turned into something far more chilling. Six days after siblings Lily (6) and Jack Sullivan (4) vanished without a trace, the once-hopeful hunt for two missing children has shifted into a grim criminal investigation â and the quiet town of Landown Station is struggling to cope with the possibility that hope may soon give way to heartbreak.
Six Days of Silence
It has now been nearly a week since the children disappeared from their home on May 2, 2025. More than 160 people â including RCMP officers, rescue teams, volunteers, helicopters, drones, and K-9 units â have scoured forests, fields, and rivers. Yet, no credible trace of the two has been found.
The only possible clue, a small bootprint found near the familyâs property, remains unconfirmed. At a press conference that left the community in tears, an RCMP spokesperson admitted what no one wanted to hear:
âWe have to face the reality that the likelihood of finding them alive is very low.â
The words marked a devastating shift â from rescue to recovery, from hope to investigation.
A Fatherâs Plea
The childrenâs stepfather, Daniel Martell, who first reported them missing, has been seen visibly shattered, breaking down as he spoke to reporters.
âA hundred days isnât enough. A whole lifetime isnât enough for them. I just want to find them.â
He claims he awoke early that morning to find the childrenâs beds empty, the front door unlocked, and no sign of forced entry. Martell insists they must have wandered off, but police arenât ruling out foul play.
The Investigation Deepens
The Investigation Deepens
The case is now in the hands of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit, signaling a shift toward potential criminal involvement. While the case has not been declared a homicide, the presence of seasoned detectives suggests the focus is broadening.
According to sources close to the case, Martell has offered to take a polygraph test and is cooperating fully with investigators. Still, police are scrutinizing inconsistencies in the familyâs timeline, particularly the gap between when the children were last seen and when the missing persons report was filed.
Adding to the mystery, the childrenâs biological mother, Maleia Brooks Murray, has reportedly left the region with another child and has refused to speak to media or police â a decision that has fueled public speculation and distrust.
A Community in Mourning
At the local RCMP detachment, a growing memorial stands as a painful symbol of collective grief â stuffed animals, handwritten notes, and candles flickering through the cold Nova Scotia nights.
âAll of Pictou County feels like these children are ours,â said County Warden Robert Parker. âWeâve watched, prayed, hoped â and now weâre all holding our breath.â
Parents across the region have become hypervigilant, keeping children close, locking doors that were once left open. Fear now lingers like a fog over Landown Station.
The Search Narrows
While large-scale searches have been scaled back, investigators are doubling down on specific high-probability zones, re-examining terrain that was previously swept. Digital forensics teams are analyzing cell phone pings, GPS routes, and surveillance footage to reconstruct the childrenâs final hours.
âNo stone will be left unturned,â vowed one search commander. âEven if we have to go back a hundred times.â
The Investigation Deepens
The case is now in the hands of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit, signaling a shift toward potential criminal involvement. While the case has not been declared a homicide, the presence of seasoned detectives suggests the focus is broadening.
According to sources close to the case, Martell has offered to take a polygraph test and is cooperating fully with investigators. Still, police are scrutinizing inconsistencies in the familyâs timeline, particularly the gap between when the children were last seen and when the missing persons report was filed.
Adding to the mystery, the childrenâs biological mother, Maleia Brooks Murray, has reportedly left the region with another child and has refused to speak to media or police â a decision that has fueled public speculation and distrust.
A Community in Mourning
At the local RCMP detachment, a growing memorial stands as a painful symbol of collective grief â stuffed animals, handwritten notes, and candles flickering through the cold Nova Scotia nights.
âAll of Pictou County feels like these children are ours,â said County Warden Robert Parker. âWeâve watched, prayed, hoped â and now weâre all holding our breath.â
Parents across the region have become hypervigilant, keeping children close, locking doors that were once left open. Fear now lingers like a fog over Landown Station.
The Search Narrows
While large-scale searches have been scaled back, investigators are doubling down on specific high-probability zones, re-examining terrain that was previously swept. Digital forensics teams are analyzing cell phone pings, GPS routes, and surveillance footage to reconstruct the childrenâs final hours.
âNo stone will be left unturned,â vowed one search commander. âEven if we have to go back a hundred times.â
