Australian Hiker Lily Hooper, 18, Found Dead After 8-Day Nattai National Park Search
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 24
Australian Hiker Lily Hooper, 18, Found Dead After 8-Day Nattai National Park Search
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 24
Summary
NSW Police said a body believed to be Lily Hooper was found in dense bushland in Nattai National Park at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, ending an eight-day search for the 18-year-old.
Hooper had gone missing on Aug. 12 after setting out alone for a hike, and her car was found that night at the Bonnum Pic trailhead in the remote park southwest of Sydney.
Joseph Cassar, a New South Wales police assistant commissioner, said a communication breakdown briefly led Hooper's family to believe she had been found alive before officers corrected the information within 8 to 10 minutes.
Authorities have not released a cause of death and will prepare a report for the coroner; the park is known for rugged bushland, unstable cliff edges and limited cellphone coverage.
Anthony Albanese led tributes and Parliament observed a moment of silence, while officials renewed advice for hikers in remote NSW parks to carry personal locator beacons.