The body of a woman believed to be missing bushwalker Lily Hooper has been found in bushland in the NSW Southern Highlands, eight days after the 18-year-old set out on a hike in Nattai National Park.
NSW Police said the body was located about 11.30am on Thursday. While formal identification is still pending, police said it is believed to be Ms Hooper.
Hooper left her Oakdale home on the morning of Wednesday, August 12, intending to go bushwalking in Nattai National Park. Her car was found later that night near the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail at High Range, prompting a large-scale search through the park.
The search grew to involve hundreds of people, including close to 100 Australian Defence Force personnel and about 280 NSW SES volunteers. Teams worked through dense undergrowth, steep drops and cliff lines, with police also using a thermal-imaging helicopter and examining telecommunications data as they tried to trace Hooper’s movements.
Her family had remained at the search command post during the operation and earlier this week, released a statement asking for support as the search continued.
“Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing,” they said.
“We desperately want to bring Lily home safe and we ask as the search continues, to keep our family and Lily in your thoughts.”
The discovery was raised during NSW budget estimates on Thursday, after Premier Chris Minns initially told the hearing Hooper had been found alive. He later returned to correct the information.
“I’ve got some terrible news,” Minns said.
“I apologise … it seems as if the earlier advice was wrong. Lily’s body has been found. She’d been found deceased. This is obviously devastating, and I’m profoundly sad for her family and for all those concerned. I apologise.”
NSW Police said a report would be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
(Image: NSW SES)
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