Five blue balloons floated gently in the breeze under a serene sky outside a Nova Scotia RCMP detachment on Wednesday evening, where a candlelight vigil took place for missing siblings Jack and Lilly Sullivan. Approximately 40 people, including community members and friends and family of the children, gathered as children crafted 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 away from their home in Lansdowne. Despite extensive search efforts and a thorough investigation by RCMP major crimes, the fate of the children remains unknown.
The vigil, the first time both sides of Lilly and Jack’s family came together since May, was an emotional gathering. Tensions arose in the past due to disputes between the families, particularly involving Brooks-Murray and her former boyfriend, Daniel Martell, who is the stepfather of Lilly and Jack.
Family members, including Brooks-Murray’s relatives, the children’s paternal grandmother, and Martell, assembled for the solemn event in rural Nova Scotia, where a growing memorial adorned with stuffed animals and candles stood as a tribute to Jack and Lilly.
During the vigil, heartfelt words were shared by family members, including Jack’s paternal grandmother, Belynda Gray, who expressed unwavering determination to find the missing children. RCMP Staff Sgt. Curtis MacKinnon reassured the gathering of the ongoing commitment to uncovering the truth behind Lilly and Jack’s disappearance.
The event concluded with an emotional original song titled “Where Are They,” and Martell, despite facing accusations, emphasized his cooperation with the authorities in solving the case. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance have attracted international attention and various speculations online.
In a gesture of support, a local electrical contractor agreed to display the memorial until spring or until the case is resolved, following a request from the RCMP to dismantle it for the winter. The vigil provided a moment of unity and remembrance for the community, reflecting the ongoing hope for answers and the safe return of Jack and Lilly.