The body of missing Alice Springs girl Sharon Granites has been found five kilometres south of the camp where she was last seen.
Sharon vanished from her family’s home in Old Timers Aboriginal Town Camp on Saturday night, with police believing she was abducted by Jefferson Lewis, 47, who was staying in the area after having just been released from prison.
NT Commissioner Martin Dole provided the tragic update on Thursday.
“Just before midday today, police members of the search party located the body of a young Aboriginal girl we believe to be five-year-old Sharon Granites,” he said.
“This is an incredibly distressing development. Sharon’s family have been formally notified, and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.
“We are not in a position today to provide answers around the cause of Sharon’s death or how long she may have been deceased.
“A post-mortem examination will now be conducted.”
Sharon’s body was found during a land search by police officers after expanding the original search area.
A distinctive T-shirt, a doona and a child’s underwear were found at river bed near the camp the day after Sharon vanished.
NT Police confirmed on Thursday that two DNA profiles were recovered from the underwear, being Lewis’ and Sharon’s.
Lewis is yet to be located.
More to come.
