In a poignant and deeply emotional interview, the maternal grandmother of missing Nova Scotia siblings Lilly and Jack Sullivan has broken her silence to paint a vivid picture of two happy, energetic children whose lives were filled with love, play, and unbreakable sibling bonds — before they vanished without trace from their rural home on May 2, 2025.

Cyndy Murray, speaking out nearly ten months after the devastating event, described her grandchildren as “full of life” — bright-eyed kids who adored their mother, cherished each other, and brought endless joy to those around them in the quiet community of Lansdowne Station, Pictou County.

Her words come as the baffling case remains unsolved, with no confirmed sightings of six-year-old Lilly or four-year-old Jack since that fateful spring morning, despite one of the largest search operations in Nova Scotia’s history. Police have treated the disappearance under the Missing Persons Act, with no arrests or charges laid, leaving the family — and an entire province — desperate for answers.

“My grandchildren were happy kids who loved each other and their mom,” Murray told reporters in an emotional sit-down that has reignited public interest in the case. Friends of the children’s mother have echoed those sentiments, describing a household where laughter often rang out, even amid the challenges of rural life.

But behind the tender memories lies a growing sense of anguish and unanswered questions that continue to torment the family and the tight-knit Nova Scotia community.

The ordinary morning that turned into a nightmare

It was a crisp Friday morning on May 2, 2025, in the rural hamlet of Lansdowne Station, about 140 kilometres northeast of Halifax. The Sullivan children — Lilly, a lively six-year-old known for her pink outfits and boundless energy, and her little brother Jack, a cheerful four-year-old who loved his dinosaur boots — were at home with their mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, her partner Daniel Martell, and the couple’s young baby daughter, Meadow.

According to statements given to police, the adults were in the bedroom with the infant when the older children were last heard playing. Lilly reportedly came in and out of the room several times, while Jack’s voice could be heard from the kitchen area. Then, suddenly, silence.

By around 10:01 a.m., Brooks-Murray called 911 to report that Lilly and Jack had wandered off. The mother told authorities the children had simply disappeared from the property, possibly venturing into the dense surrounding woods.

What followed was an unprecedented mobilisation. Hundreds of RCMP officers, ground search and rescue teams, volunteers, drones, helicopters, cadaver dogs, and even lake searches were deployed in the days and weeks that followed. A pink blanket believed to belong to Lilly was found, along with a child-sized boot print, but no further solid clues emerged. The massive effort was largely scaled back after about a week, though the investigation continues.

To this day, not a single confirmed trace of the children has been found. No clothing, no personal items beyond that blanket, no witnesses who saw them leave the property or enter a vehicle.

The absence of evidence has fuelled intense speculation, online theories, and painful questions for the family.

Grandmother Cyndy Murray’s emotional tribute to two ‘full of life’ children

In her recent interview, Cyndy Murray spoke with raw honesty about the grandchildren she cherished. She described Lilly as a bright, affectionate girl who lit up rooms with her smile and had a special bond with her little brother. Jack, she said, was the playful one — always giggling, following Lilly around, and finding joy in simple things like playing outside or spending time with family.

“They were full of life prior to their disappearance,” Murray said, her voice heavy with emotion. Friends of the mother have backed up that portrait, calling the siblings “happy kids who loved each other and their mom.” Photos shared by the family over the years show two smiling children in everyday moments — playing in the yard, dressed in colourful clothes, radiating the innocence of early childhood.

Murray’s words offer a stark contrast to the grim reality that has unfolded since May 2025. For nearly ten months, the family has lived in a state of suspended grief — hoping against hope for a miracle while bracing for the worst.

She highlighted the close sibling relationship: Lilly often taking the lead as the big sister, calling out to Jack with encouragement during play. “Come on, Jackie,” was a phrase family members recall hearing frequently around the home — a sweet, everyday call that now echoes hauntingly in the silence.

The maternal grandmother’s decision to speak out comes as the case risks slipping further from public attention, despite ongoing RCMP appeals for tips. She wants the world to remember Lilly and Jack not just as missing children on flyers, but as real, vibrant kids with personalities, dreams, and a loving family.

The other side of the family: Paternal grandmother Belynda Gray’s despair

While Cyndy Murray focuses on the joyful memories, the children’s paternal grandmother, Belynda Gray, has been more outspoken about her fears and frustrations in earlier interviews.

Gray, mother to the children’s biological father Cody Sullivan, last held Lilly and Jack nearly two years before the disappearance due to family circumstances. In emotional interviews with CBC and CTV, she has repeatedly said her “heart tells me these babies are gone,” expressing a deep pessimism shaped by the lack of any breakthrough.

Gray joined searches herself in the early days and has called for greater accountability, including a public inquiry into how child protection services handled any prior concerns about the home environment. She has questioned what steps were taken — or missed — before May 2, 2025, and has vowed to “never stop speaking out” to keep her grandchildren’s names alive.

The divide in perspectives between the maternal and paternal sides of the family adds another layer of heartbreak to an already devastating situation. Both grandmothers, in their own ways, are fighting to ensure Lilly and Jack are not forgotten.

Inside the rural home: What court documents and police statements reveal

Court documents and RCMP updates have provided limited but telling glimpses into the household on Gairloch Road.

The property is described as a modest rural home surrounded by thick forest — the kind of place where children might naturally want to explore, but also where dangers like getting lost or encountering wildlife are real risks.

On the morning in question, the mother and stepfather claimed they were in the bedroom with baby Meadow while the older children moved freely around the house. They said they noticed the silence sometime after 9:40 a.m. and began searching before calling emergency services.

A neighbour or family member reportedly heard the children playing on swings around 8:50 a.m., but after that — nothing.

Investigators have interviewed dozens of people, searched lakes, and followed hundreds of tips. A $150,000 reward has been offered in some reports for information leading to the children’s recovery. Polygraph tests and other investigative tools have been used, though specifics remain under wraps.

No criminal charges have been laid against any individuals, and the RCMP has stressed that the case remains a missing persons investigation rather than a confirmed criminal matter. However, the prolonged silence and lack of physical evidence have led many to fear the worst.

Friends of the mother have described her as devastated, insisting the children simply wandered off. Some online commentators and family acquaintances have raised questions about supervision, the layout of the property (including fences), and potential prior involvement with child services — issues that Belynda Gray has publicly highlighted.

The massive search and why it yielded so little

The initial response was swift and overwhelming. Ground teams combed the woods, dogs searched for scents, and aerial support scanned from above. Volunteers from across Nova Scotia and beyond joined the effort, bringing hope with every new lead.

Yet the dense terrain — thick brush, swamps, and remote areas — made the task incredibly difficult. A child-sized boot print and Lilly’s pink blanket were among the few items recovered, but they offered no clear direction.

Searches of nearby lakes and further grid work continued sporadically, but as weeks turned into months, the focus shifted to tips and digital appeals.

Ten months on, the RCMP continues to appeal for anyone with information — no matter how small — to come forward. “These children deserve to be found,” one officer has said in public statements.

A family forever changed — and a community that refuses to forget

For Cyndy Murray and the rest of the extended family, every day without answers is a fresh wound. Birthdays have passed — Lilly would now be approaching seven, Jack five — without the usual celebrations. Holidays feel empty. The simple joy of hearing children’s laughter has been replaced by quiet mourning and relentless questions.

Murray’s interview serves as both a loving tribute and a desperate plea: remember who Lilly and Jack really were. Not statistics or mystery figures, but a big sister and little brother who loved playing, hugging their mom, and exploring their small world together.

Community vigils, social media campaigns, and yellow ribbons tied around trees in Pictou County keep their faces visible. “Where are Lilly and Jack?” remains a common question in local conversations.

Some residents express frustration at the lack of resolution, while others offer quiet support to the family, acknowledging the unimaginable pain of not knowing.

What happens next? The long road to answers

As the one-year anniversary of the disappearance approaches in May 2026, pressure is mounting for fresh momentum in the investigation. Calls for a public inquiry — voiced strongly by paternal grandmother Belynda Gray — continue, with questions about child welfare oversight, response times, and whether warning signs were adequately addressed.

The RCMP insists the file remains active and that every credible tip is pursued. Forensic advances, new witness accounts, or even a breakthrough in the surrounding woods could still change everything.

For now, though, the case stands as one of Nova Scotia’s most haunting mysteries: two small children who seemingly evaporated from their own backyard on an ordinary spring morning.

Cyndy Murray’s words offer a sliver of light amid the darkness — a reminder of the innocent lives at the heart of this tragedy. Lilly with her pink sweaters and big-sister energy. Jack with his dinosaur boots and infectious giggles. Two siblings bound by love, whose story deserves to be told not just in police reports, but in the warm memories of family.

“My grandchildren were full of life,” the grandmother said. Those simple words carry the weight of a family’s enduring hope — and the fear that time may be running out to bring Lilly and Jack home.

The RCMP continues to urge anyone with information to contact them or Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers. A dedicated tip line remains open for the Sullivan children case.

As winter gives way to another spring in Lansdowne Station, the community holds its breath. The search for answers — and for two beloved children — is far from over.