Lily Hooper Search Turns Heartbreaking as Family Reveals Desperate Message After Nearly One Week
The devastated family of missing teenage hiker Lily Hooper has made an emotional plea for her safe return as the desperate search nears the one-week mark.
The experienced 18-year-old bushwalker left her home on Burragorang Rd in Oakdale about 8am last Wednesday to go hiking in Nattai National Park in the NSW Southern Highlands area but has not been seen since.
Her car was found about 11pm that night at the beginning of the Bonnum Pic walking trail on Wanganderry Rd.
Hooper’s family issued a public statement on Tuesday as the search continued.
“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.
“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 family also urged members of the public not to join the physical search because of the difficult terrain and conditions.
“We appreciate people who have made offers for the search but due to the terrain and conditions we ask just professional search teams continue,” the family said.
“We also ask for privacy and understanding as our family navigates this unimaginable situation.”
Hooper’s father on Monday vowed to find his daughter, who he described as a “tough girl”.
“We’re going to find her today. I’m going back there now. I’m just putting my boots on,” he told radio station 2SM.
“I just want everyone to throw love and energy because we’ve got to go and find her. We’ve got to find this kid.
“It’s like she’s just … vanished off the planet. I don’t know. I just can’t make it out. Normally they’d find something — I don’t want to think of the worst.”
Bujutsu Martial Arts and Fitness Centre, where Hooper has trained in Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts for the past two years, echoed her father’s optimism.
“If anyone can survive a hiking accident, it’s Lily. She is one tough girl,” the centre said.
The centre said Hooper attended training last Tuesday night and told them she planned to return the following evening — the day she went missing.
A Facebook page dedicated to supporting Hooper and her family has since been established, along with a fundraiser organised by the Rotary Club of Wollondilly North.
Wollondilly Shire Mayor Matt Gould said the club had a longstanding connection with the Hooper family through its youth programs.
The club described Hooper as a “cherished member” of the local community and said her disappearance had “brought profound sadness and a feeling of helplessness to all who know her”.
“Lily’s kindness, spirit, and connection to the Oakdale and Wollondilly regions, along with her family, has touched many lives, and our club is committed to standing beside her family during this difficult time,” the club said.
“Funds raised will go directly to Lily’s parents to assist with immediate expenses and practical needs arising from Lily’s disappearance.
“This support will help ease financial pressure so the family can focus on searching for Lily and dealing with the unbearable mental anguish of this ordeal.”
Detective Inspector Brendan Bernie said finding Hooper alive remained at the heart of the operation.
“We’re treating it definitely as a search and rescue operation and we suspect that Lily is out somewhere in this bushland and nearby,” he told reporters on Monday afternoon.
“Lily’s an experienced bushwalker. We’re relying on that experience to get her through this ordeal and we’re still hoping that she’s found alive and safe.”
Hundreds of emergency personnel and volunteers have battled rugged, dense terrain as well as cold, wet and foggy conditions during the search.
Police have used a thermal-imaging helicopter to search from the air at night and have examined telecommunications data potentially emitted by Hooper’s phone.
Hooper is described as Caucasian and about 175cm tall with a slim build, long blonde hair and blue eyes.
She was last seen wearing a shirt and shorts.
Anyone with information about Hooper’s whereabouts, or walked the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail since Wednesday, is urged to contact Moss Vale Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
