NSW Police have confirmed the body of a woman believed to be missing bushwalker Lily Hooper has been found after an eight-day search in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The body was located in bushland about 11.30am today.
NSW Police said that while the body was yet to be formally identified, it was believed to be that of the missing 18-year-old.
Ms Hooper left her home south-west of Sydney on the morning of Wednesday, August 12, to go hiking in the Nattai National Park.
Her car was later found near the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail, sparking a large-scale multi-agency search involving almost 100 Australian Defence Force personnel and 280 NSW SES volunteers.
Crew scoured steep drops, dense undergrowth and complex cliff lines.
Ms Hooper’s family have been stationed at the search command point since she went missing.
NSW Premier Chris Minns was informed during budget estimates that Ms Hooper had been found, initially saying that she was alive.
The premier later told a parliamentary hearing that a body had been found.
“I’ve got some terrible news,” Mr Minns said.
“I apologise to the committee, but it seems as if the early advice was wrong.
“Lily’s body’s been found and she’s been found deceased.
The premier was handed a note advising him Lily Hooper had been found. (ABC News)
“I only raise that because I made the earlier advice and I’m very sorry for that.
“This is obviously devastating and I’m just profoundly sad for her family and all those concerned.
“And I apologise to the committee. This is terrible news.”
NSW Police have used a thermal-imaging helicopter and examined telecommunications data in an effort to trace Ms Hooper’s last movements.
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