The CBC reports that newly released court documents shed further light on the relationship between the mother and stepfather of missing children Jack and Lilly Sullivan at the time the children disappeared in May 2025

Newly Released Court Documents Reveal Details on Relationship Between Mother and Stepfather of Missing Nova Scotia Children Jack and Lilly Sullivan

In a significant development in one of Canada’s most haunting unsolved missing persons cases, newly unsealed court documents—reported by CBC News on January 15, 2026—provide fresh insights into the domestic relationship between Malehya Brooks-Murray, the biological mother of the missing siblings, and her common-law partner (and the children’s stepfather), Daniel Martell, in the period leading up to the children’s disappearance.

Lilly Sullivan (6 years old) and her brother Jack Sullivan (4-5 years old, depending on sources) vanished from their rural home in Lansdowne Station, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, on the early morning of May 2, 2025. Their mother called 911 around 10 a.m. that day, reporting that the children had wandered away while she, Martell, and their toddler daughter slept. Despite extensive searches involving RCMP teams, volunteers, cadaver dogs, and community efforts, the children remain missing more than eight months later, with no confirmed trace found.

Here are family photos of the missing siblings, Lilly and Jack Sullivan, widely shared in search appeals:

Key Revelations from the Unsealed Documents

The documents, which include excerpts from RCMP interviews and applications for search warrants, contain unproven allegations and statements made during the early stages of the investigation. They were partially released following media requests and a court order to lift redactions.

According to reports from CBC and other outlets:

• Brooks-Murray’s Allegations of Abuse: On May 9, 2025—about a week after the disappearance—police specifically asked Brooks-Murray if Martell had been physically abusive. She reportedly stated that he “would try to block her, hold her down and once he pushed her.” She also alleged that he would take her phone when she tried to call her mother, sometimes involving physical force that “would hurt.”

These claims describe incidents during their approximately three-year relationship. Brooks-Murray and Martell had been together since around 2022-2023, moving into his mother’s property in Lansdowne in August 2023 with the children and their infant daughter.

• Martell’s Response: In his police interview, Martell acknowledged that the couple fought, often yelling during arguments (including about money and financial difficulties), but he denied any physical violence. He described their relationship as having “ups and downs” like any other couple, with no physical abuse.
• Context of the Relationship: The documents highlight financial strain and occasional conflicts in the household. Brooks-Murray moved in with Martell roughly two years before the disappearance, and the family lived in a remote, wooded area bordering thick forest—factors that complicated initial searches.

These details emerged from police notes and warrant applications, not as proven facts in court. No charges have been laid against either adult in connection with the children’s disappearance, and earlier 2025 releases (from August) indicated extensive RCMP scrutiny of the parents/stepparents found no evidence of criminal involvement at that stage.

Here are images showing the rural, heavily wooded area around Lansdowne Station where extensive ground searches took place:

Ongoing Investigation and Broader Context

The RCMP’s major crimes unit continues to treat the case as an active missing persons investigation under the Missing Persons Act, exploring “all possible scenarios.” Previous court documents (unsealed in August 2025) revealed items seized during searches, witness accounts of a vehicle in the area overnight, and polygraph tests (which both Brooks-Murray and Martell reportedly passed). Cadaver dog searches and volunteer efforts, including finds of clothing and blankets (deemed unrelated by police), have yielded no breakthroughs.

Experts have described the case as “extremely rare” due to the complete lack of evidence in a remote but searched area, with no signs of abduction, accident, or foul play confirmed. Family members, including the children’s paternal grandmother, have publicly expressed heartbreak and called for continued attention.

The new revelations about alleged domestic issues add another layer to public speculation, though authorities emphasize that the documents reflect unproven statements and early investigative notes—not conclusions.

A Case That Continues to Grip Canada

As 2026 begins, Lilly and Jack Sullivan remain missing, with no new leads publicly confirmed. Community vigils, online discussions, and renewed calls for tips persist. The RCMP urges anyone with information to contact them.

The unsealed documents serve as a reminder of the complex personal dynamics that can surround such tragedies, even as the central mystery—what happened to the two young siblings—endures unresolved.