Missing teen hiker found dead in Australian bush after eight‑day search

The body of a woman has been found in Australian bushland, following an eight‑day search for a Sydney teenager reported missing last Wednesday.

Police say the body has not yet been formally identified but is believed to be 18‑year‑old Lily Hooper. Confirmation came after local media reported that she had been found alive, although this was quickly corrected.

Hooper left her Sydney home on 12 August to walk in a nearby national park. She failed to return by 10pm, and her family reported her missing later that night.

Her vehicle was found in a car park at the base of a challenging trail in Nattai National Park. The police then began an extensive search covering the Southern Highlands.

The women's body was discovered at approximately 11:30 local time on Thursday, 20 August.

There was initial confusion as to Hooper's condition. NSW Premier Chris Minns told a parliamentary hearing she had been found alive, but later corrected himself, stating she was deceased.

“This is obviously devastating, and I’m profoundly sad for her family and for all those concerned,” Minns said, apologising to the committee.

The search was a coordinated effort involving multiple NSW Police Force units, including the PolAir, Rescue Unit, Trail Bike Unit, Mounted Unit and Dog Unit. Additional support came from the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and nearly 100 members of the Australian Defence Force.