Five blue balloons gently floated in the light breeze against a backdrop of pastel skies outside a Nova Scotia RCMP detachment during a candlelight vigil for missing siblings Jack and Lilly Sullivan. The gathering, which included around 40 people from the community and the children’s friends and family, featured children creating a birthday card for Jack on his 5th birthday.
Jack, 5, and Lilly, 6, were reported missing on May 2 after their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, called 911 to report that they had wandered off from their home in Lansdowne, a remote area about 140 kilometers northeast of Halifax. Despite extensive search efforts and an ongoing investigation by the RCMP major crimes unit, there have been no breakthroughs in the case.
Haley Ferdinand, the children’s aunt, expressed her optimism, saying, “Until we have answers, we have hope,” a sentiment she had printed on a T-shirt bearing the photos of her niece and nephew. She described Jack as an energetic boy who loves nature and bugs, while Lilly was affectionately referred to as a “little princess.”
The vigil marked the first time since May that both sides of Lilly and Jack’s family came together, bridging tensions that arose when Brooks-Murray parted ways with her then-boyfriend, Daniel Martell, following disagreements between their families in the aftermath of the children’s disappearance. Martell, who is the stepfather of Lilly and Jack, joined the vigil along with other family members.
Belynda Gray, the children’s paternal grandmother, shared a heartfelt poem at the vigil, pledging to continue the search for her missing grandchildren. The event also featured speeches from local officials and law enforcement officers, emphasizing the commitment to uncovering the truth behind Lilly and Jack’s disappearance.
The vigil concluded with an emotional tribute as a song titled “Where Are They,” composed by Rushell MacDonald, played, prompting tears from some attendees. Martell, addressing the accusations and tensions surrounding him, affirmed his dedication to assisting the authorities in solving the case.
The unresolved nature of the disappearance has attracted global attention and spurred various speculations online. Efforts are underway to preserve the makeshift memorial outside the RCMP detachment until there is closure in the investigation, with a local company agreeing to safeguard it during the winter months.