Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the following article contains names and images of the deceased.

The desperate days-long search for a five-year-old girl believed to have been abducted has come to a tragic end.

The body of Sharon Granites, known to her family as Kumanjayi Little Baby, was located just before midday on Thursday about 5km from where she went missing.

Sharon was reported missing from her home on Marshall Ct in Old Timers Camp, Alice Springs, about 1.35am on Sunday.

“This is an incredibly distressing development,” NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole said.

“Sharon’s family have been formally notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.”

A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on Friday, as investigations continue.

Police urged Jefferson Lewis to hand himself in.Police urged Jefferson Lewis to hand himself in. Credit: NT Police

Police said Sharon was led away by 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was seen holding her hand about 11pm that night.

A number of items were located on Sunday on the banks of the Todd River behind Old Timers Camp, including a pair of children’s underwear, a yellow shirt believed to have been worn by Lewis, and a doona cover.

Police on Thursday said two DNA profiles were identified on the underwear — Sharon’s and Lewis’s.

The focus now is on locating Lewis, police said.

“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis,that we believe he’s murdered this child. Do not assist him. Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him,” Dole said.

“And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.”

Lewis is understood to have been staying at the home from where Sharon disappeared.Lewis is understood to have been staying at the home from where Sharon disappeared. Credit: NT Police

Police believe Sharon was put to bed by her mother on Saturday night before leaving through an unlocked back door and was later led away by Lewis.

Lewis was staying at the home where Sharon disappeared and is believed to have gone missing around the same time.

Police said they believe he was “under the influence of alcohol” at the time of the alleged abduction.

Lewis had been released from prison six days before Sharon’s disappearance after serving an 18-month sentence for serious violence-related offences.

He does not have a phone, bank account or car, limiting police’s ability to track him through a digital footprint.

Police on Wednesday said they believe he is still in the local area and may be receiving assistance from others.

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/missing-five-year-old-nt-girl-sharon-granites-found-dead-c-22215078