The body of the missing 18-year-old Australian climber was found after eight days.

The body of 18-year-old experienced hiker Lily Hooper, who went missing in Nattai National Park in New South Wales, Australia, has been found after an eight-day search operation. Her body, found in the Southern Highlands bushland southwest of Sydney, has now been airlifted out, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted in the coming days to officially confirm her identity and determine the cause of death.

During the search operation, which involved approximately one thousand people, a major controversy arose due to a communication error that spread the news of her being alive. State Premier Chris Minns initially stated at a state parliamentary subcommittee meeting that Lily had been found alive with half a water bottle after being missing for eight days. However, within thirty minutes of that statement, the Premier corrected his announcement, confirming that she had been found deceased.

Police authorities are currently investigating this error, and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon have officially apologized to Lily's family members for the misinformation.