Missing Canadian kids Lilly and Jack Sullivan update upends timeline in the case

A significant development has emerged in the case of missing Canadian siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan, altering the previously understood timeline of their disappearance.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has confirmed that the children were seen in public with family members on the afternoon of May 1, 2025, just one day before they were reported missing.

A shifting timeline

Initially, it was believed that six-year-old Lilly and four-year-old Jack vanished from their home in Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia, on the morning of May 2. Their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, reported them missing around 10 a.m., stating that the children had likely wandered off while she and their stepfather, Daniel Martell, were asleep.

However, the recent confirmation that the siblings were seen with relatives on May 1 challenges this narrative. This new information narrows the window of their disappearance and raises questions about the events leading up to May 2.

School absences reassessed

Further complicating the timeline, reports indicate that Lilly and Jack had been absent from school for several days before their disappearance. They last attended Salt Springs Elementary on April 29. According to Martell, the children were kept home due to illness on April 30 and May 1.

This extended absence from school, combined with the new sighting on May 1, suggests that the children were not missing as early as previously thought, prompting investigators to reassess the sequence of events.

A lie detector and a sudden departure

The case has garnered widespread attention, with social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook amplifying public interest. Videos discussing the latest updates have gone viral, reflecting the community’s concern and the broader public’s engagement with the case.

This heightened visibility has led to increased scrutiny of the investigation and the family’s statements, with online discussions dissecting the evolving narrative.

In the wake of the children’s disappearance, stepfather Daniel Martell has faced public scrutiny. To address suspicions, Martell voluntarily underwent a polygraph test. The results have not been publicly disclosed, but Martell continues to cooperate with the authorities.

Following the disappearance, Malehya Brooks-Murray reportedly left the family home to stay with relatives in another part of Nova Scotia. Martell stated that she blocked him on social media after her departure.

An ongoing investigation

The RCMP has received over 355 tips and conducted more than 50 interviews in connection with the case. Investigators are now seeking additional video footage from the area, specifically along Gairloch Road between April 28 and May 2, to piece together the children’s movements.

Despite extensive ground and air searches, including the use of drones and canine units, no significant leads have emerged. The search efforts were scaled back on May 7 but remain active, with authorities committed to exploring all possibilities.

For more information or to provide tips, please contact the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060 or submit a tip anonymously through Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.