Jump to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMaroosha MuzaffarThursday 20 August 2026 13:03 BSTLily Hooper’s body was found in bushland in the Southern Highlands, police said in a statement (NSW Police)The body of an 18-year-old woman, Lily Hooper, has been found over a week after she disappeared while hiking in New South Wales in Australia.Although it was “yet to be formally identified”, a spokesperson for the NSW police said, “the body is believed to be that of the 18-year-old woman”.NSW Premier Chris Minns apologised after initially saying that Ms Hooper had been “found alive”, telling a parliamentary hearing on Thursday: “It seems as if the earlier advice was wrong.”An extensive search involving around 100 Australian Defence Force personnel began after Hooper’s vehicle was discovered abandoned close to the Bonnum Pic Walking Trail.According to the police, Hooper’s family believed she was alive for about “eight to 10 minutes”, while assistant police commissioner Joseph Cassar did not directly explain why the parents were initially told as such.In fullMissing teen mistakenly declared ‘found alive’ after eight-day search uncovers body: ‘Earlier advice was wrong’More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in