Missing Teen Hiker Lily Hooper Found Dead in Australian Bush After Eight-Day Search

The short version

Eighteen-year-old experienced hiker Lily Hooper was found dead on August 20 in Nattai National Park, New South Wales, following an eight-day search.

Her body was discovered off-trail a significant distance from her vehicle on the challenging Bonnum Pic Walking Trail, approximately 90km south-west of Sydney.

NSW Premier Chris Minns initially announced Hooper was found alive on August 20, retracting the statement less than 30 minutes later and apologizing for the incorrect advice.

Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar of NSW Police apologized for the miscommunication, noting an initial report by SES volunteers and an 8-10 minute delay in updating the family.

A multi-agency search involved nearly 1,000 people, including hundreds of volunteers and over 100 Australian Defence Force personnel, in dense and rugged terrain.

Lily Hooper, an 18-year-old experienced hiker, has been found dead in Australia's rugged Nattai National Park, New South Wales, following an extensive eight-day search. The tragic discovery on August 20 was compounded by an initial erroneous announcement that she had been found alive, causing immense emotional distress to her family before a swift retraction.

Hooper left her Sydney home on August 12 for a hike, reportedly reaching the summit of Bonnum Pic mountain mid-morning and sending messages from the trail. She was reported missing that evening after not returning home, prompting emergency services to locate her car near the trailhead on Wanganderry Road at High Range. Her body was later discovered off the trail, a significant distance from her vehicle, in what is described as challenging terrain for advanced hikers.

What happened with the communication error?

NSW Premier Chris Minns initially announced in state parliament on August 20, around midday, that Lily Hooper had been "found alive" and had "half a bottle of water." Less than 30 minutes later, Premier Minns retracted his statement, apologizing and confirming that Hooper's body had been found. He stated he had received "incorrect advice" and genuinely believed he was sharing good news, offering his "deepest condolences" to Hooper's family and apologizing for adding to their heartbreak.

Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar of NSW Police also apologized "unreservedly" for the miscommunication, explaining that SES search volunteers initially reported at 11:30 am that the teenager was found alive in "thick and dense terrain." Cassar indicated there was a period of "eight to ten minutes" between the initial incorrect report and the updated information given to the family. Commissioner Mal Lanyon echoed the apology, describing the error as "born out of elation."

Lily Hooper's father, Jim Hooper, was filmed by Channel Seven showing

Frequently asked questions

What caused Lily Hooper's death?

The exact cause of Lily Hooper's death is not yet known. A post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days to formally confirm her identity and determine the cause of death. A report for the coroner will also be prepared.

What is being done about the miscommunication during the search?

Multiple investigations and reviews have been launched. NSW Premier Chris Minns committed to reviewing protocols for information communication in such operations, and NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib assured a government review of the entire search, including communication issues. Emergency services have also launched their own investigation into the circumstances of the misidentification.