Latest news with #MajorUnsolvedCrimesProgram
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
N.S. missing kids: Tips surpass 600 as case remains unsolved, RCMP says
More than two months after the disappearance of two young siblings in rural Nova Scotia, RCMP say their 'intensive' investigation has included reviewing some 5,000 video files and more than 600 public tips — but the case remains unsolved. Lilly Sullivan, 6, and her brother Jack Sullivan, 4, were reported missing on May 2 from their home in Lansdowne Station in Pictou County. Multiple ground and air searches were conducted in the days and weeks after. So far, police have confirmed they found a pink blanket, which officers seized, and a boot print. The children's family had indicated the siblings wandered away that morning from the home, which is situated in a heavily-wooded and rural area. 0:50 Case of missing N.S. kids hits 2-month mark with no answers The case, led by the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, involves RCMP units in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario, along with the National Centre of Missing Persons, and Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Police agencies from other provinces and municipalities in Canada have also contributed to the efforts. Story continues below advertisement In a Wednesday update, RCMP said they have reviewed about 5,000 video files that they received by canvassing Lansdowne Station and the surrounding areas. In May, police confirmed they had video evidence that showed the children with their family in public the day before they were reported missing. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP also said they've formally interviewed more than 60 people and administered some polygraph tests. The children's stepfather, Daniel Martell, has told Global News that he has taken a test. 'Right now, there are more than 800 tasks associated to this investigation,' said Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon, the acting Officer in Charge of Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences, in a release. 'A tremendous amount of careful, deliberate investigative work is underway by people here at home and in other parts of Canada; our collective efforts will continue every day until we determine with certainty the circumstances surrounding Lilly and Jack's disappearance.' The children's disappearance was added to the province's Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers a reward of up to $150,000 for information in the case. Anyone with information can call the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Global News
02-07-2025
- Global News
Case of missing N.S. kids hits 2 months with no answers. What we know
Two months after a pair of young siblings went missing in rural Nova Scotia, police are remaining tight-lipped on whether they've uncovered any new information in a case that has captured international attention. Lilly and Jack Sullivan, aged six and four, were reported missing from their home in Pictou County on May 2. Multiple searches by police, search and rescue crews, and public volunteers have turned up no sign of the young children's whereabouts as the case hits the two-month mark. Asked on Wednesday to provide an update on the case, Nova Scotia RCMP referred Global News to their latest news release, issued June 11, that said the investigation continues and 'may take longer than we all hoped.' 0:59 Missing NS kids: Multiple agencies join the search for Lilly and Jack Sullivan The provincial government has offered a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to the children being found. The disappearance has been added to the province's Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which the province says is a 'tool to help police in major unsolved crime cases.' Story continues below advertisement The children's maternal grandmother told Global News last month that the family's focus is on finding Lilly and Jack, and that they hope the reward will help in the case. Here's what we know so far. What happened? Lilly and Jack were reported missing on the morning of May 2 from their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station, which is about 30 kilometres from New Glasgow, N.S. The children's stepfather, Daniel Martell, told Global News at the time that Lilly and Jack were home Friday morning with him, his partner and their baby. When they noticed the children were missing, he said the family immediately ran outside to look for them. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP said the siblings were believed to have 'wandered away.' They noted that there was no evidence of abduction, so it didn't qualify for an Amber Alert. Story continues below advertisement For nearly a week, ground search and rescue crews, alongside police dogs, drones and aircraft, scoured the heavily wooded terrain surrounding Lansdowne Station through rainy and foggy conditions. On May 7, RCMP said the search for the siblings was being 'scaled back,' with police saying there was little chance the siblings could have survived several days in the heavily wooded area. 1:56 Missing N.S. children: RCMP narrow down timeline of disappearance Renewed searches in May of nearby bodies of water, as well as through specific areas by ground and air crews, uncovered no new evidence. Another targeted search around the family home in early June also failed to find anything new. On May 28, RCMP confirmed Lilly and Jack were seen in public with family members the day before being reported missing, based on video footage and eyewitness accounts. Story continues below advertisement Police put out a call that day for dashcam footage or video along Gairloch Road between noon on April 28 and noon on May 2. RCMP said on June 11 that they had collected hundreds of hours of video from that area and others surrounding Lansdowne Station since that public appeal. Nearly 500 tips from the public have also been received, assessed and followed up on. The release said investigators have formally interviewed 54 people — some of them with polygraph tests — and have been granted 'numerous judicial authorizations to seize and examine materials and devices that may provide information useful to the investigation.' 1:39 Many left wondering what's next after police call off search for missing N.S. kids Cpl. Sandy Matharu of the Northeast Nova RCMP major crime unit, who is leading the investigation, said in the statement that the 'coordinated and deliberate approach' by investigators in reviewing all information means finding answers that 'advance the investigation … may take longer than we all hoped.' Story continues below advertisement 'All scenarios are being considered, and we've engaged every tool and resource at our disposal,' Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon, the acting officer in charge of the Nova Scotia RCMP's major crimes division, said in the June 11 statement. What has the family said? Since the early days of the investigation, Martell, the children's stepfather, has called for the search to be expanded to provincial borders, airports and other exit points, in case the children were abducted. He told Global News he hasn't had contact with the children's mother since May 3, when she left the area. 'You don't have to trust my word, but I'm the only one doing media for Jack and Lilly — trying to keep this story alive and get them found,' he said in an interview during the first week of intense searches. Story continues below advertisement When reached by phone, the children's mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, said she had been advised by RCMP not to speak with the media further. Her mother, Cyndy Murray, also spoke to Global News at the time and said the family was hoping for a positive outcome. 2:11 Missing N.S. kids spotted day before disappearance, stepfather says he's taken polygraph Martell says he has taken a polygraph test, which he said he offered to undergo, as well as an hours-long interview with major crimes investigators. 'I do have results (of the polygraph) and I don't know if I can share those results, but they were good in my favour. I'll say that,' he told Global News in late May. He has repeatedly insisted he was not involved in Lilly and Jack's disappearance, despite rampant online speculation. Martell attended a public candlelight vigil outside the RCMP detachment in Stellarton, N.S., on June 3, marking one month since the children went missing. Story continues below advertisement RCMP say anyone who may have information that may be helpful in the case can contact the Northeast Nova RCMP major crime unit or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers. — with files from Global's Rebecca Lau
Global News
19-06-2025
- Global News
N.S. missing kids: Province calls Jack and Lilly case ‘a crime', offers 150K reward
Nova Scotia is offering a reward of up to $150,0000 for information in the disappearance of two young children who were last seen more than a month and a half ago. Lilly Sullivan, 6 and her brother Jack Sullivan, 4, were reported missing May 2 from their home in Lansdowne Station in Pictou County. Their disappearance has been added to the province's Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which the province says is a 'tool to help police in major unsolved crime cases.' In a brief call, the children's maternal grandmother told Global News the family's focus is on finding Lilly and Jack and that they hope the reward helps in the case. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan is felt across the province and beyond, and my heart goes out to the family, the community and everyone who has been working to find these children since Day 1,' said Becky Druhan, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in a Thursday release. Story continues below advertisement 'Police and investigators are working tirelessly to find answers, and I urge anyone with information to please share this with the RCMP as soon as possible.' The actual amount rewarded under this program will be based on the 'investigative value' of the information. 'Anyone with information regarding this crime should call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090,' the province said in the release. 'People who come forward with information must provide their name and contact information and may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded.' Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Nova Scotia at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
