The body of a woman has been found in bushland during the search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper in the Southern Highlands.
NSW premier Chris Minns broke the news of the teen's death to a NSW Budget estimates hearing after saying minutes earlier that she had been found alive "in the bush with half a bottle of water with her."
"I've got some terrible news," he said after being interrupted during questioning. "I apologise ... it seems as if the earlier advice was wrong... Lily's body has been found. She'd been found deceased. This is obviously devastating, and I'm profoundly sad for her family and for all those concerned. I apologise."
While she is yet to be formally identified, police believe the body is that of the missing teenager.
Search crews located the body about 11.30am on Thursday, August 20, bringing a tragic end to an extensive, week-long multi-agency operation in Nattai National Park, about 60km north-west of Mittagong.
Officers attached to the Hume Police District had commenced inquiries on Wednesday, August 12, following reports that Lily had gone missing from the Bonnum Pic Trail.
The case will now go to the coroner.
For eight days, hundreds of police, emergency responders, and local volunteers had scoured the unforgiving wilderness in the hunt for the young outdoor enthusiast.
During the search, her family had released a statement on Tuesday, August 18, expressing their grief and profound gratitude as the operation continued.
"Our family is absolutely devastated that our beloved daughter Lily is missing," the statement said.
"We would like to thank all the emergency services and volunteers for their support and continued commitment to the search, not only during the day but throughout the night.
"We desperately want to bring Lily home safe and we ask as the search continues, to keep our family and Lily in your thoughts."
Prior to Thursday's discovery, emergency services faced gruelling conditions and freezing night temperatures across challenging terrain.
Speaking at a media briefing at the command post on Wanganderry Road on Monday, August 17, Hume Police District Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie confirmed searchers had been unable to locate any of the teenager's belongings.
The extensive ground operation involved specialist search teams and volunteers from the Australian Defence Force, NSW State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service, and Volunteer Rescue Association.
Specialist Police Rescue personnel and police officers actively searched the land directly behind the command post.
Remote area firefighting crews from across the Greater Sydney region also joined the operation in Nattai National Park.
Among those deployed to the Southern Highlands was Arcadia Rural Fire Brigade member Grant Paisley, who travelled to the search zone alongside fellow Hornsby/Ku-ring-gai RFS members.
Chief Inspector Bernie said police conducted extensive inquiries alongside the physical search.
The physical search area consisted of challenging and dense bushland. NSW SES Moss Vale Deputy Unit Commander Nick Healy described the environment confronting ground crews as "incredibly arduous".
"We have had over 200 SES teams deployed, including our Specialised Bush Search and Rescue Team," Mr Healy said.
"They are equipped and trained for more arduous and dense bushland, but we're talking deep ravines, creeklines that have not been well traversed, we have cliffsides and there's really, really rough terrain that's out there."
Throughout the operation, Chief Inspector Bernie had noted there was no evidence suggesting foul play and had praised the dedication of search teams working in the vast, 210,000-hectare park.
Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
