Police have made a tragic discovery in the search for a five-year-old girl missing in the Australian outback, as they have located a body believed to be that of the missing child.
The girl, identified by her family as Kumanjayi Little Baby following her passing, disappeared late on Saturday night from a residence on the outskirts of Alice Springs in the outback.
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions dictate avoiding naming the deceased out of respect and cultural beliefs to allow the spirit to move on peacefully.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the distressing development during a press conference on Thursday afternoon, describing the find as “incredibly distressing.”
The family of the deceased girl has been informed, and condolences are extended to them during this difficult time.
A manhunt is ongoing for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was released from prison just six days before the girl’s disappearance and is suspected of abducting her.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley emphasized that the primary focus of the investigation is to locate Jefferson Lewis and urged anyone with information to come forward.
The search efforts, involving police, volunteers, and various resources, have covered a significant area near the girl’s last known whereabouts at Old Timers Camp in the Northern Territory.
The search has involved ground teams, helicopters, drones, dog units, horses, motorcycles, and ATVs, combing approximately 46 square kilometers by air and an additional 20 square kilometers on foot.
Indigenous trackers, volunteers, and land councils have also joined forces to support the search operation, demonstrating a collaborative effort to locate the missing child.