Body Found in Search for Missing 5-Year-Old Girl Who Vanished from Her Bed 5 Days Ago
A body was found on Thursday, April 30, five days after the young girl, previously known as Sharon, was reported missing
A body has been found in the search for a missing 5-year-old girl in Australia.
PEOPLE previously reported that authorities had received reports that a young girl, known as Sharon, had disappeared from her home in Alice Springs in the early hours of Sunday, April 26.
In a media release shared on Thursday, April 30, the Northern Territory Police (NT Police Force) said the body “is believed to be that of the young girl” and it was found by officers near Old Timers Camp shortly before 12 p.m. local time. Old Timers Camp is a site set aside by the government for Aboriginal people to stay in when in Alice Springs, according to the BBC.
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A body has been found in the search for the 5-year-old girl.NT Police
“A formal autopsy will be scheduled to confirm the cause of death,” per the release. An investigation has also begun.
The girl’s family has requested that she now be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby, police said.
In a statement addressed to her daughter, her mom said that she and her brother “miss and love you.”
“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Me and your brother will meet you one day,” the statement read. “We are giving our lives to Jesus.”
“It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you,” the statement continued. “Ramsiah [her brother] wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.”
PEOPLE previously reported that authorities believed Jefferson Lewis — a 47-year-old recently released prisoner with a history of domestic violence convictions, per Australian news outlets the Sydney Morning Herald and 7NEWS — may be able to help with their enquiries.
On Thursday, local media outlets, including the SMH and 9News, reported that police said Lewis is still unaccounted for and they now suspect him of the young girl’s murder.
“The focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis, it is our sole job in this investigation right now,” Northern Territory Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Malley said, per the outlets.
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The girl’s family has requested she be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.NT Police
“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he’s murdered this child,” Malley continued. “Do not assist him, get him to the police station and we’ll look after him. And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.”
Lewis was seen with the girl on Saturday night, per 9News. Acting Commander Mark Grieve told reporters on Monday that Lewis was staying at the family’s home at the time she vanished, despite not being believed to be closely related to them, 7NEWS and 9News previously reported.
Her family hasn’t seen her since she was put to bed shortly before 11:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) previously reported, citing Detective Acting Superintendent Michael Ordelman.
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Jeffrey Lewis.NT Police
“They did check for her in a bedroom where she was supposed to be and she wasn’t there,” Ordelman told the outlet. “Her mother went back to check on her and her mother was the one who telephoned police.”
Doors and fly screens were found open during the search of the residence, leading police to believe the girl may have wandered out of her home.
In a statement on Thursday, NT Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole said a body being found in their search was “devastating news, not only for the immediate and extended family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all those around Australia who have been worrying for this little girl.”
“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst outcome,” Dole added. “It is very important the Alice Springs community continues to support one another, and it is equally important that the police continue to do their job.”
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On Wednesday, police said they had found clothing on a riverbank near Old Timers Camp during their search, per 9News.
“Of significance is the pair of child’s underwear,” said Malley, per the ABC. “We located two DNA profiles on the underwear. One is expected to belong to the little girl, and the other belongs to Jeffersons Lewis.”
A yellow shirt that Lewis was wearing on Saturday night was also found, according to the outlet.
Per a previous NT Police news release, the girl was last seen wearing a dark blue short-sleeved T-shirt and boxer-style underwear.
“Anyone who has any information about the whereabouts of Jefferson Lewis needs to contact police immediately on 131 444 or 000,” police added in their release on Thursday.
News
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