Missing hiker found dead in Australia as police apologize for ‘miscommunication’ that she was still alive
Lily Hooper
(CNN) — Police in Australia have apologized after the family of an 18-year-old hiker missing in dense bushland for eight days was mistakenly informed that she had been found alive.
In fact, Lily Hooper’s body was found and now an investigation is underway to determine how she went missing and how her family received the wrong news.
Hooper left Oakdale, New South Wales (NSW), on August 12 to go for a solo hike in the Nattai National Park, but was reported missing after she didn’t return home that night, according to a statement from NSW Police.
A multi-agency search operation was launched and lasted until early Thursday, when the news was conveyed that she’d been found.
Her family, believing she was still alive, were seen celebrating at the search site. The state premier Chris Minns even announced her survival during a live broadcast of a senate committee hearing.
However, minutes later Minns retracted his statement and confirmed that she had in fact died. “I’m just profoundly sad for her family,” Minns said.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that “sadly this morning there was a miscommunication when Lily’s body was recovered.”
“I unreservedly apologize for that miscommunication,” he said, as well as “any additional trauma that may have caused Lily’s family, but certainly for the embarrassment and confusion that caused.”
“The miscommunication obviously was born out of elation that Lily had been found,” added Lanyon. “Tragically, that miscommunication then led to a deflation.”
Hooper was found in a remote area and the news would have been passed on by a number of people, said Lanyon.
A coroner will now investigate the cause of Hooper’s death. There will also be an investigation into how the miscommunication occurred.
Nattai National Park is only around 50 miles from Sydney as the crow flies, but is known for its rugged terrain and giant sandstone cliffs.
In the last week, the park has experienced harsh winds and cold temperatures overnight.
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