Tragic End to Eight-Day Search as Missing Hiker Lily Hooper Is Found De-ad Deep in NSW Wilderness
A body has been found in the search for teenage hiker Lily Hooper, who disappeared eight days ago.
The tragic discovery was made about 11.30am on Thursday morning following an extensive search of the NSW Southern Highlands.
Police initially told media the 18-year-old had been found alive; however it was later confirmed she had died.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon fronted the media on Thursday afternoon, offering an “unreserved” apology for the error and the additional trauma it may have caused Hooper’s family.
“I unashamedly apologise for any additional trauma that may have caused Lily’s family, but certainly for the embarrassment and confusion that caused,” Lanyon said.
“The miscommunication obviously was born out of elation that Lily had been found, and her condition at that time was such that searchers were relieved, and certainly those at the command post relayed.
“Tragically, that miscommunication then led to a deflation, and obviously we know now an impact on her family.
“Once again, I unreservedly apologise for that miscommunication.”
Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar told reporters on Thursday that Hooper was found by an SES volunteer.
Her family was then informed that initial information from search crews indicated she had been found alive.
That information was corrected by the same people within eight to 10 minutes, Cassar said.
He attributed the error to communication difficulties in the thick and dense terrain, where hundreds of searchers were using handheld communication devices.
“So just to put it in context, the area is thick, dense terrain,” he said.
“We’ve got hundreds of searchers out there.
“They’re carrying handheld communication devices and, as you can appreciate, we’ve all experienced it — sometimes communication is a challenge.”
Cassar said if he could “turn the clock back”, it would have been handled in a different way.
“If we were able to provide them more detailed information on that first report, I can tell you that would have been the case,” he said.
“But unfortunately, it did take that small period of time for us to give them an update.”
Hooper was found a “significant distance away” from where her car had been left.
Police were still working on Thursday afternoon to retrieve her body from the difficult terrain, with Cassar saying it would likely need to be carried out on foot.
Premier apologises after false report
NSW Premier Chris Minns had also announced that Hooper had been “found alive”, saying she had been located in the bush with “half a bottle of water with her”, before correcting the statement a short time later.
“I’ve got some terrible news,” 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.
“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.”
Minns later issued a statement apologising again for sharing the incorrect information.
“Advice I received earlier today relating to Lily Hooper was incorrect,” he said.
“I genuinely believed I was sharing good news.
“My deepest condolences are with Lily’s family. I am profoundly sorry to think that anything I said may have added to their heartbreak at an already devastating time.”
Political leaders pay tribute
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the teen’s death was an “unspeakable tragedy”.
“Lily Hooper had so much more to offer the world,” he said.
“Her passing I have no doubt will be felt very deeply across the Southern Highlands, among her family, her friends, and indeed, right across the nation.”
Opposition leader Angus Taylor said Lily’s love of bushwalking “only compounds the tragedy of her death”.
“Any parent who reads this news will hug their children tighter tonight,” Taylor said.
“When they do, they will spare a thought and a prayer for Lily’s mother, father and family who can’t do the same.
“We grieve for their most terrible loss.”
Search spanning eight days
Hooper left her home on Burragorang Rd in Oakdale about 8am on August 12 to go hiking in Nattai National Park but had not been seen since.
Police previously said Hooper had been texting her family about the hike but failed to return home by 10pm that day, which was “well overdue from her anticipated completion time”.
Her car was found about 11pm that night at the beginning of the Bonnum Pic walking trail on Wanganderry Rd.
Her disappearance sparked a major search and rescue operation involving police, emergency services and the Australian Army.
Her family had remained hopeful since her disappearance, describing her as a “tough girl”.
In a statement on Monday, the family thanked the community, emergency services and volunteers for their support.
“Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing,” the statement read.
“We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers for their support and continued commitment to the search, not only during the day but throughout the night.”
