From ‘elation’ to ‘terrible news’ in 10 minutes: how the confusion over missing bushwalker Lily Hooper unfolded

Published August 20, 2026 · Category: News

Overview

The 18-year-old’s body was found in Nattai national park on Thursday – but initial police messages indicated she was alive

• Teen hiker Lily Hooper found dead as NSW police apologise for miscommunication ‘born of elation’

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Police have blamed dense bushland and radio confusion for wrongly reporting to 18-year-old Lily Hooper’s parents, the New South Wales premier and the media that the missing bushwalker had been found alive.

Details

Hooper had last been seen on 12 August after leaving home for a hike in the rugged bushland of Nattai national park, 90km south-west of Sydney. She was reported missing that night, triggering a multi-agency search involving nearly 1,000 people, including hundreds of volunteers.

Source

Originally published at www.theguardian.com.

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