Police have made a grim discovery in the search for a missing five-year-old girl in the Australian outback, announcing they have found a body believed to be that of the missing child.

The girl, referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby by her family following her tragic death, disappeared late on Saturday night from a residence on the outskirts of Alice Springs, located in the outback.

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, it is customary to refrain from naming the deceased out of respect and cultural beliefs to allow the spirit to move on peacefully.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole delivered the heartbreaking news during a press briefing on Thursday, describing the find as “an incredibly distressing development.” The young Aboriginal girl’s body was found by members of the search party just before midday.

A manhunt is currently underway for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was released from prison six days prior to the girl’s disappearance and is suspected of abducting her. Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley emphasized that locating Lewis is the primary focus of the investigation.

Despite extensive search efforts by police and volunteers over the past five days in the Northern Territory near the Old Timers Camp, where the girl was last seen, the outcome remains tragic. Witnesses reported seeing Lewis with the child before she went missing, leading authorities to believe he is responsible for her death.

Search operations, which have covered approximately 46 square kilometers by air and 20 square kilometers on foot, have involved various resources including helicopters, drones, dogs, horses, and indigenous trackers. The community and law enforcement agencies are working together in the search efforts to bring justice for the young victim.