Monday is a grim milestone for a rural community in Nova Scotia — it is exactly one month since two young children went missing.
Lilly and Jack Sullivan, six and four years old, were reported to have wandered away from their home on Gairloch Road in Pictou County on May 2.
They have not been seen since.
To mark the sombre occasion, there will be a candlelight vigil in Stellarton, N.S., at 8:30 p.m. Monday. It will also be livestreamed.
Photo: RCMP
Massive search
It was 10 a.m. when the two were reported to have disappeared.
This sparked an enormous search of more than 160 volunteers who scoured the area of Lansdowne Station for six days, putting in tens of thousands of hours through 5.5 kilometres of rough terrain.
Nova Scotia Ground Search and Rescue Association/Facebook
It was scaled back on May 7 to focus on specific areas, until two additional searches on May 8, 9, 17 and 18.
Footage
Police have gathered hours and hours’ worth of video footage of areas surrounding Lansdowne Station and continue to gather more.
Investigators said they have received more than 355 tips that are being followed up on, with dozens of interviews.
In a news release last week, RCMP said they can now confirm the children were last seen in public with family members on May 1 – one day before they disappeared.
A helicopter flies over Lansdowne Station in Pictou County, N.S., as part of the search and rescue operation to find Lilly and Jack Sullivan, two children who went missing on May 2. (Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting)
Nearly 80 trained volunteers from nine ground search and rescue organizations were out again this past Saturday and Sunday.
They focused on specific areas around Gairloch Road and the nearby pipeline, where a boot print was previously located
They said they remain committed to exploring all possibilities surrounding Lilly and Jack’s disappearance.
Hard on the community
Lilly and Jack’s disappearance has hit the province, country and especially the community of Pictou County hard.
According to Warden Robert Parker, people want answers, and there has been a sense of sadness and also a little fear among residents.
Premier said it’s weighing heavy
Premier Tim Houston said Jack and Lilly’s disappearance is devastating.
“It’s weighing heavy certainly on the minds of people in Pictou County and well beyond as well,” said Houston.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack, or who has video footage to share with police, is asked to call the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060.
To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477, submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
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