New court records related to the case of Jack and Lilly Sullivan shed light on the dynamics between their mother and stepfather before the children vanished over eight months ago. The siblings, aged 5 and 6, went missing on May 2, 2025, when their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, reported to authorities that they had wandered off from their residence in Lansdowne, N.S., an area situated approximately 140 kilometers northeast of Halifax.
Following their disappearance, an extensive search operation was conducted in the dense woods surrounding their rural home, yielding minimal evidence such as a pink blanket and a child-sized boot print. Over the subsequent months, investigative efforts included the deployment of cadaver dogs, 75 interviews, numerous polygraph examinations, scrutiny of 1,066 tips and 8,000 video files, as well as the involvement of RCMP units from multiple provinces.
At the time of their disappearance, Lilly and Jack resided with Brooks-Murray, her husband Daniel Martell, and their infant daughter. The family was last seen in public together the day before the children were reported missing. Court documents reveal that police obtained 12 search warrants between May 16, 2025, and July 16, 2025, unveiling details of an interview with Brooks-Murray discussing her relationship with Martell, disclosing that they began cohabiting on his mother’s property in Lansdowne around August 2023.
During the investigation, Brooks-Murray recounted incidents where Martell allegedly engaged in physical aggression towards her, including blocking her, restraining her, and pushing her. Martell, on the other hand, stated that while they had disagreements over financial matters, their overall relationship was characterized as “good,” with occasional arguments that did not escalate to physical altercations.
Further revelations from the court documents indicated that Lilly and Jack’s biological father, Cody Sullivan, had been estranged from the children for several years, though he had been paying child support until losing his job nine months before the disappearance. RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon emphasized that the nature of the relationship between Brooks-Murray and Martell at the time of the children’s disappearance remains a focal point of the investigation.
Despite ongoing scrutiny under the Missing Persons Act, the case has not transitioned into a criminal investigation. Speculation surrounding the mysterious disappearance of Jack and Lilly has intensified online, garnering global media attention. The Crown’s recent submissions highlighted the potential for the investigation to evolve into a criminal probe, with individuals linked to the children’s disappearance possibly being identified as persons of interest.
Utilizing advanced investigative technologies such as drones and video analysis tools, authorities are striving to gather crucial evidence that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. Despite the absence of concrete leads pointing to criminality, experts like Michael Arntfield have underscored the significance of remaining vigilant as the investigation progresses, suggesting that the threshold for initiating a criminal investigation in such cases is typically lower.
Staff Sgt. McCamon reiterated the importance of accumulating comprehensive information before making determinations regarding any criminal aspects of the case. The prolonged absence of conclusive findings has raised concerns among experts and the public alike, highlighting the complexities involved in resolving cases of missing persons, especially when children are involved.