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Lily Hooper: Missing hiker found dead in Australia, police apologize for ‘miscommunication’ that she was still alive

CNN • August 20, 2026 • world

Key Points:

Lily Hooper, an 18-year-old hiker missing since August 12 in Nattai National Park, NSW, was found deceased after an eight-day search operation.
NSW Police mistakenly informed her family that she had been found alive, leading to a public celebration and a premature announcement by state premier Chris Minns.
The premier later retracted the statement, confirming her death and expressing profound sadness for the family.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon apologized for the miscommunication, attributing it to confusion amid the emotional relief of finding Hooper.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of Hooper’s death and how the false information was communicated to her family.