Missing Sydney teen found dead in Australian bush after eight-day search

Authorities in New South Wales, Australia, have confirmed that a woman's body was discovered in bushland, believed to be that of 18-year-old Sydney resident Lily Hooper, who had been missing for eight days. Formal identification has not yet taken place.

Hooper left her home on 12 August to go hiking in a national park near Sydney. When she had not returned by 10pm, her family reported her missing to police that same night. Her car was later found in a car park at the start of a demanding trail in Nattai National Park.

Confusion arose during the search after local media initially reported she had been found alive, with her family reportedly also told the same. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a parliamentary hearing that she had been found alive, but shortly afterward corrected himself, stating that her body had been found and that she had died. Minns expressed sympathy for the family and apologised to the committee for the error.

The body was found in the Southern Highlands region at around 11:30am local time on Thursday.

The search, which lasted more than a week, involved several New South Wales Police Force units, including the PolAir aviation unit, the Rescue Unit, the Trail Bike Unit, the Mounted Unit and the Dog Unit. It was also supported by the Rural Fire Service, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and nearly 100 members of the Australian Defence Force.