After an intensive search lasting more than a week, the body of 18-year-old Lily Hooper was located in the rugged terrain of Nattai National Park, located approximately 90 kilometers south-west of Sydney. The search involved multiple agencies working across difficult bushland conditions.

The circumstances surrounding the announcement of the discovery were marked by confusion. NSW Premier Chris Minns initially addressed parliament to state that Hooper had been found alive, noting she had been discovered with half a bottle of water. However, within minutes of this statement, the Premier was forced to issue a correction, informing the chamber that the initial report was incorrect and that the teenager had been found deceased.

Police Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar was involved in the briefing process, though the specific sequence of communication errors between the search teams on the ground and the government remains a point of focus. The incident has drawn attention to the challenges of search and rescue operations in remote areas, as well as the difficulties in managing information flow during high-stakes emergency situations.