Aug 21, 2026, 5:28 AM2 views

Lily Hooper’s family was told she’d been found alive. ‘She’s coming home,’ her father said – then tears of joy turned to grief

After eight days missing in the rugged NSW bush, word came through that the 18-year-old had been located. Her family were waiting with presents Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking…

After eight days missing in the rugged NSW bush, word came through that the 18-year-old had been located. Her family were waiting with presents Follow our Australia news live blog for.

After eight days missing in the rugged NSW bush, word came through that the 18-year-old had been located. Her family were waiting with presents

The rugged landscape of the New South Wales southern highlands loomed large on Thursday evening. This country had just revived, then killed hope. A young woman was found “alive”, but then it was confirmed she was dead: desperation, confusion, tragedy reigned.

Here, where the bitumen of Wombeyan Caves Road runs into unsealed dirt, rolling hills dotted with cattle give way to expansive mountains. The late-afternoon sun sends long, beaming rays past the edges of clouds, casting a warm glow on distant cliff faces.

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