Police have found the body of missing five-year-old Sharon Granites, five days after she vanished after being led into the dark holding the hand of violent ex-con Jefferson Lewis, 47.

Her body was found just before midday on Thursday in bush 5km south of the Old Timers camp, on the outskirts of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, where she disappeared on Anzac Day.

The discovery came after police found her underwear at a crime scene near the camp, along with yellow top Lewis had been wearing on the night she vanished.

Forensic testing results today revealed that the underwear had traces of two DNA profiles which match Sharon and Lewis, police confirmed.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole described it as the worst possible outcome, accusing Lewis of murdering the girl, who was his distant relative.

‘The focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis,’ NT Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said on Thursday afternoon.

‘I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he’s murdered this child. Do not assist him.

The body of five-year-old Sharon Granites was found 5km from where she was abducted
+8
View gallery

The body of five-year-old Sharon Granites was found 5km from where she was abducted

The investigation has now turned to apprehending Lewis, who police allege murdered the child
+8
View gallery

The investigation has now turned to apprehending Lewis, who police allege murdered the child

Child's underwear found in the search had DNA traces matching both Sharon and Lewis
+8
View gallery

Child’s underwear found in the search had DNA traces matching both Sharon and Lewis

‘Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him. And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.’

Commr Dole added police ‘were not in a position today to provide answers around the cause of Sharon’s death, or how long she may have been deceased’.

‘A post-mortem examination will now be conducted, most likely tomorrow, and that will be a critical step in establishing those facts,’ he added.

‘The criminal investigation is ongoing, and a coronial process will now also begin. As a result, there will now be limitations on what we can say publicly.

‘Finally, this is devastating news, not only for Sharon’s family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for Sharon.

‘The support shown during this time has been overwhelming, and this is the worst possible outcome.’

Mary Lewis, who is understood to be Lewis’ aunt, said she hadn’t seen her nephew since he was last in jail.

‘I’m sad. We are grieving. I don’t know what has happened,’ she told Daily Mail on Thursday.

More than 170 people helped search for the little girl
+8
View gallery

More than 170 people helped search for the little girl

Searchers battled difficult conditions in chest-high grass and soft sand
+8
View gallery

Searchers battled difficult conditions in chest-high grass and soft sand

Police captured bodycam vision of Lewis in a distinctive yellow shirt on an unrelated callout
+8
View gallery

Police captured bodycam vision of Lewis in a distinctive yellow shirt on an unrelated callout

He spoke to police on the same day he is alleged to have abducted Sharon later that night
+8
View gallery

He spoke to police on the same day he is alleged to have abducted Sharon later that night

It was confirmed this morning that Sharon was ‘non-verbal’ and communicated using her hands.

More than 170 volunteers have scoured chest-high grass and deep sand near Old Timers town camp since she vanished.

Just before her body was found, NT Police made a public callout for experienced civilian horse-riders to join the search.

Lewis was seen leading Sharon away around 11pm on the night of her disappearance, soon after her mother put her to bed, and police were called around 1.30am.

They had earlier attended the area that evening on an unrelated call, where Lewis – wearing the same yellow shirt later seized by forensic investigators at the crime scene – was captured on bodycam vision.

Police said at the time he is alleged to have abducted Sharon, he was ‘probably’ under the influence of alcohol following a social gathering.

Lewis remains at large, and does not have a vehicle, a phone or even a bank card, rendering modern-day investigation techniques used by police effectively useless.

NT Police commissioner Martin Dole (left) and asst cmmr Peter Malley address media
+8
View gallery

NT Police commissioner Martin Dole (left) and asst cmmr Peter Malley address media

Police said Sharon and her mother had attended the address that night to do some washing and her mother was ‘distraught’ at her daughter’s disappearance.

In October 2024 Lewis was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with a 12-month non-parole period.

It’s understood Lewis – who was released from prison without conditions despite a lengthy list of criminal convictions – was staying at a home within Old Timers, and was known to Sharon’s family.

Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison in March 2025, after pleading guilty to breaching a domestic violence order and resisting police.