In a chilling twist that’s left investigators and the public stunned, new surveillance footage obtained by police appears to show a mysterious man walking beside a boy believed to be nine-year-old Gus Lamont, the child who vanished without a trace nearly three weeks ago.
The footage, captured late at night by a traffic camera near a rural highway, shows two figures — one small, wearing clothing similar to what Gus was last seen in, and another taller, adult-sized figure walking just a few steps behind him.
But what’s truly disturbing? The adult’s face never appears on camera.
A shocking revelation that changes everything
According to police insiders, the footage was uncovered after officers re-examined data from nearby petrol stations and roadside surveillance units, following a tip from a local witness who claimed to have seen “a man and a boy walking in the dark.”
“We didn’t expect to find this,” one investigator told The Herald Wire. “It’s the first concrete lead we’ve had in days — and it raises more questions than it answers.”
Authorities confirmed the timestamp of the footage matches the same night Gus was reported missing.
“If that really is Gus,” a police spokesperson said, “then someone was with him — someone who didn’t want to be seen.”
Who is the stranger?
Police are now working to enhance the blurry footage to identify the mysterious figure. So far, no one in the local community recognizes the man’s build or clothing.
“He was wearing dark clothes, possibly a hooded jacket,” a forensic analyst said. “He appears to be leading the child rather than following — which makes this even more concerning.”
What’s even more chilling: investigators found footprints at a nearby rest stop consistent with both a child’s and an adult’s shoes. One print appears to match the same brand of sneakers found earlier in the case, which police believe belonged to Gus.
Family ‘devastated’ after seeing the footage
When shown the images, Gus’s parents were reportedly “devastated” but refused to give up hope.
“If that’s really our boy,” said a family source, “we just pray he’s still alive. Whoever that man is — we need to find him.”
Neighbors have rallied outside the Lamont home, leaving candles and signs urging police to “BRING GUS HOME.”
The family’s spokesperson told reporters that the discovery has “reopened every wound” and reignited the search effort that had begun to slow after days of no leads.
Locals recall suspicious sightings
Several residents living along the stretch of road where the footage was captured have come forward with disturbing stories.
“There was a white ute parked near the highway for two nights in a row,” said one woman. “We thought it was a worker’s truck — now I’m not so sure.”
Another man claimed he saw “a tall figure walking with something small” around 11:30 p.m. that same evening.
“At first I thought it was a father and son,” he told The Herald Wire. “But they were walking away from town, into the woods.”
Police increase patrols as theories explode online
Since news of the footage broke, online forums have exploded with theories. Some users suggest the man could be a known acquaintance, while others believe it could be a stranger who lured Gus away.
“It’s eerie how the man stays just out of frame,” one user wrote. “It’s like he knew exactly where the cameras were.”
Police have not confirmed whether the footage is being treated as evidence of abduction, but multiple units have now been dispatched to search nearby wooded areas and riversides where the pair may have traveled.
An unanswered question that haunts investigators
Authorities are urging the public to remain calm and not to speculate — but the mystery surrounding the man’s identity continues to deepen.
“We’re dealing with something very calculated,” one senior officer said. “Whoever this person is — they knew what they were doing.”
For now, investigators are focusing on enhancing the video and cross-referencing license plates from nearby areas.
But as one insider told local media:
“Every time we think we’re getting closer, the case just gets darker.”
A case that refuses to fade
The discovery has reignited national attention on the disappearance that’s captivated Australia — and terrified parents everywhere.
As candles flicker outside the Lamont home, one question echoes across every news desk, social feed, and police station in the country:
If that’s really Gus in the footage… who is the man walking beside him?