Missing Jack and Lilly Sullivan Update: Court Docs Reveal Abuse Allegations

 

Newly unsealed court documents revealed allegations of abuse in the months leading up to the disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan, two Nova Scotia siblings missing since May 2025, multiple news outlets reported.

Malehya Brooks-Murray, the mother of the children, accused their stepfather Daniel Martell of being physically abusive toward her on multiple occasions, according to records according to records cited by Global News.

Martell denied any wrongdoing when speaking with Global News this week, saying the narrative is meant to paint him as the guilty party.

The revelations came after media organizations successfully applied for the release of redacted information in court records connected to the high-profile missing person’s case.

“The investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues,” Cindy Bayers, communications for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Nova Scotia said in a statement emailed to Newsweek Sunday. “The investigative team remains committed to pursuing every credible lead and determining with certainty what happened to Lilly and Jack.”

The Context

The disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan, aged six and four, from the rural community of Lansdowne, Nova Scotia continues to draw international interest due to the mysterious circumstances and the lack of substantial leads.

Recent court filings reveal significant tension and allegations of abuse in the children’s home, expanding the scope and complexity of the investigative efforts.

Lilly and Jack Sullivan

Lily Sullivan and Jack Sullivan were last seen on May 2 at their home on Gairloch Road in Lansdowne Station. | RCMP/RCMP

What To Know

Lilly and Jack Sullivan were reported missing on May 2, 2025, and despite a massive, months-long search involving the RCMP, ground search and rescue teams, cadaver dogs, extensive volunteer participation, and technological resources, no trace of the children has been found beyond a pink blanket confirmed to belong to Lilly.

According to public records, Brooks-Murray called 911, stating the children wandered away from their home while she and Martell were asleep inside with their toddler.

Authorities conducted more than 75 interviews and reviewed over 8,000 video files investigators told the Global News.

“To date, investigators have managed more than 1,050 tips, resulting in over 1,340 distinct investigative tasks,” Bayers told Newsweek in an email Sunday.

The children were last seen in public the day before their disappearance.

Unsealed court documents indicated that Brooks-Murray told police during the early stages of the investigation that her common-law partner, Martell, had on several occasions been physically abusive toward her.

Brooks-Murray described incidents where Martell would “try to block her, hold her down and once he pushed her,” and alleged that he would take her phone, sometimes physically, when she attempted to call her mother, according to the report from Global News.

These claims were filed as part of search warrant applications by RCMP investigators as they sought to uncover the circumstances behind the children’s disappearance, CBC News reported.

None of the abuse allegations have been tested in court, and Martell has not faced charges related to these statements.

Martell spoke to Global News on Friday, saying that he has been honest with investigators about everything and would continue to cooperate in the investigation.

“It was always, ‘Daniel’s evil, Daniel’s a monster,’ and with that painted narrative, the public automatically will just jump to the belief of guilty,” he said.

“I never physically abused Malehya… [Our fights were about] just typical things, you know, ups and downs that happen in relationships. Everybody has them, but it never turned to physical in any way,” he told the Global News.

Martell said he has submitted blood samples and supports the release of court documents.

RCMP investigators said the case remains classified under the provincial Missing Persons Act and has not moved to a criminal investigation, as there are currently “no reasonable grounds” to believe a crime has occurred, according to the National Post.

What People Are Saying

Cindy Bayers RCMP Nova Scotia Communications told Newsweek in an email Sunday: “The investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues. To date, investigators have managed more than 1,050 tips, resulting in over 1,340 distinct investigative tasks. The investigative team remains committed to pursuing every credible lead and determining with certainty what happened to Lilly and Jack.”

Daniel Martell, stepfather of Jack and Lilly Sullivan, told Global News: “I’ve always been very open and honest this whole way through and I don’t see no reason to stop now … I never physically abused Malehya.”

Chief Superintendent Dan Morrow, Nova Scotia RCMP criminal operations division, said in a year-end interview with Global News: “I’ve never seen it across my career. But while it’s rare, the part that isn’t rare is the complexity of the case, like why it’s taking so long, because these investigations have to be done in a methodical approach.”

RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob McCamon told CBC News on Jan. 15, 2026: “I wouldn’t say anybody’s a suspect. Again, we continue to gather information, whatever evidence that we are able to find, and we’ll make our decisions based on that.”

What Happens Next

The RCMP investigation into the disappearance of Jack and Lilly Sullivan remains active, with authorities continuing to pursue leads, conduct interviews, and process evidence.

Police have reiterated their commitment to following all avenues and reassessing their approach as new information arises.

The case has not been reclassified as a criminal matter, but police and prosecutors made clear that developments could alter this status.

Update 1/18/26 5:11 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with more information.