Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name of a person who has died.
The body of five-year-old Sharon Granites has been found, five days after she was allegedly abducted from her home near Alice Springs.
Northern Territory Police confirmed the discovery on Thursday, after a large-scale search for the young girl who disappeared from Old Timers Camp on April 25.
“Just before midday today police members of the search party located the body of a young Aboriginal we believe to be five-year-old Sharon Granites,” Police Commissioner Martin Dole said.
“The body was found about 5km south of the crime scene at Old Timers Camp.
“This is an incredibly distressing development.
“Sharon’s family have been notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.”
Police Commissioner Dole described the discovery as the “worst possible outcome” and said police were not yet able to confirm how Sharon died or how long she had been deceased.
“A post-mortem examination will be conducted, likely tomorrow, and that will be a critical step in establishing those facts,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, with a coronial inquest also set to begin.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said the focus had now shifted to locating Jefferson Lewis, who police allege abducted the child.
“So the focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis. It is our sole job in this investigation right now,” he said.
“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he has murdered this child, do not assist him, get him to the police station and we will look after him.
“I say to Jefferson Lewis that we are coming for you.”
Police allege the 47-year-old was at the home during a social gathering on the night Sharon disappeared and was seen leaving the house holding her hand at about 11pm.
She was reported missing about two hours later, around 1.30am on Sunday.
During the search, officers located clothing on a riverbank near Old Timers Camp, including a pair of children’s underwear.
“What is expected, one belongs to the little girl, Sharon and the other belongs to Jefferson Lewis,” Malley said of DNA results.
Sharon’s disappearance prompted one of the largest search efforts in the Northern Territory in recent years, involving more than 100 volunteers, police, helicopters, horses, ATVs, dog squads and Aboriginal trackers combing dense terrain across a 20 square kilometre area.
“This is devastating news, not only for Sharon’s family, but also first responders, the Alice Springs community and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for Sharon,” Dole said.
“The support shown during the time has been overwhelming.”
Image: NT Police/ Nine
