The Disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan: A Community in Crisis
This is a case I’ve been quietly following—reluctant to write about it, not out of disinterest, but because stories involving missing children are hard to bear. I’ve watched headlines, hoping for that one line we all want to read: that Lilly and Jack have been found safe. But now, 24 days later, they’re still missing, and the silence is deafening.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently announced the search is being scaled back, shifting from a large-scale operation to more focused efforts. That news alone is gut-wrenching. But I’m writing this now to help keep the story alive, because silence shouldn’t win.
The Disappearance
On the morning of May 2, 2025, six-year-old Lilly Sullivan and her four-year-old brother, Jack, vanished from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, and stepfather, Daniel Martell, say they were in the bedroom with the couple’s one-year-old at the time. The current theory is that Lilly and Jack may have opened a back sliding door and wandered off.
Despite an extensive search involving over 160 trained volunteers and multiple agencies covering a four-square-kilometer area of dense, rugged terrain, not a single trace—no clothing, no footprints, no remains—has been found.
Theories and Speculation
1. Lost to the Elements
The most immediate assumption was that the children simply wandered into the forest and succumbed to the elements. But after nearly a month and no physical evidence found, many are questioning the likelihood of this scenario.
2. Abduction
The idea that they were abducted—perhaps picked up by someone driving past the rural property—has also been raised. Their stepfather believes this is a strong possibility. While the RCMP says they have no evidence to support it, concerns about human trafficking have surfaced. Pictou County was recently the focus of a trafficking sting, though there’s no confirmed connection to this case. Still, some wonder: could they have been taken?
3. The Mother’s Departure
Perhaps the most controversial topic fueling online debate is the mother’s behavior after the children disappeared. Malehya Brooks-Murray left the area shortly after May 2, reportedly taking the couple’s infant to stay with family elsewhere in Nova Scotia. She also changed her relationship status to “single” on Facebook and then deactivated her account. These actions have led to public skepticism and intense scrutiny. Why leave, many ask, when your children are still out there?
To date, the RCMP has made no public allegations against either parent and has not named any suspects.
Community Reaction and Calls for Change
Lilly and Jack are members of the Sipekne’katik First Nation. In response to their disappearance, Chief Michelle Glasgow questioned why an Amber Alert wasn’t issued and called for the creation of a national Indigenous alert system—one that properly reflects the urgency these cases demand. The call echoes longstanding concerns about systemic gaps in how missing Indigenous children are treated.
What Now?
As of May 23, police say over 180 tips have been received. The case is still active, but momentum appears to be slowing. Community members and online advocates are doing what they can to keep the case from fading away, but the uncertainty remains painful.
Final Thoughts
The disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan has left behind more questions than answers. It’s a case steeped in heartache, confusion, and a growing frustration over what hasn’t been done—or hasn’t been found. As time passes, it’s critical to keep their names in the public eye.
If you have any information, no matter how small, please contact the Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333 or reach out anonymously through Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Let’s not let this story disappear like Lilly and Jack did.
