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Search for missing bushwalker Lily Hooper

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The gist

Lily Hooper, 18, vanished Wednesday in Nattai National Park; search enters sixth day. Police examine phone data, weather worsens, family devastated.

Background

Lily Hooper, an experienced 18-year-old bushwalker from Oakdale, Sydney, left home on 12 August for a hike in Nattai National Park. She failed to return that evening and was reported missing; her car was found at the Bonnum Pic trailhead. A multi-agency search involving police, SES, RFS, and volunteers has been ongoing, with no trace found despite extensive ground and aerial efforts.

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 12, 2026Lily Hooper left home about 8am for a hike in Nattai National Park; she sent messages from the park earlier in the day but did not return by 10pm, prompting a missing person report.
  2. Aug 12, 2026 23:00Police found Hooper's car at the start of the Bonnum Pic trail, a challenging route through dense bushland.
  3. Aug 15, 2026Search entered its fourth day; fresh teams deployed at 7am, with police 'very hopeful' she is alive. Weather conditions were deteriorating.
  4. Aug 16, 2026Weather deteriorated further as police narrowed in on a key trail; thermal-imaging helicopter used overnight.
  5. Aug 17, 2026Search entered its sixth day; crews continued searching with support from NSW Police Air Wing, RFS, SES, and other units. Police examined phone data for clues.
  6. Aug 18, 2026Family released a statement saying they are 'absolutely devastated' and asking for privacy; search continued for a seventh day.

Who’s saying what

Police
Acting Inspector Benjamin Carey said police are 'very hopeful' Lily is still alive, and Detective Inspector Ben Bowles described her as an experienced bushwalker with no evidence of foul play.
Family
The family said they are 'absolutely devastated' and desperately want to bring Lily home safe, thanking emergency services for their efforts.

Still unverified

Police are examining phone data and trying to establish what equipment Lily had with her; these details are still under investigation.

Sources

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