The mother of the little girl who was found dead five days after she was abducted from her Alice Springs home has released a heartbreaking statement.
The body of the five-year-old, who her family has asked to be called Kumanjayi Little Baby, was found about midday local time on Thursday, just five kilometers from where she went missing late last Saturday night.
“I miss you and I love you,” a statement read, which was delivered by NT Police executive director of cultural reform Leanne Liddle.
“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family, with Jesus and the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
“It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.
“(Your brother) Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.”
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is part of the five-year-old’s extended family and said, “This loss is deeply felt.”
She added, “This is the worst possible outcome, and no child should ever be placed in harm’s way.
“Now we need justice for this horrific crime, and those responsible must be found and held to account.”
NT Police on Thursday confirmed the body of the five-year-old, who disappeared from her home in Old Timers Camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs last Saturday night, was found just five kilometers away about midday at local time.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley, who is leading the investigation, said the focus now was to find Jefferson Lewis, who they allege abducted the little girl, who the family wants to be known as Kumanjayi Little Baby.
“So the focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis. It is our sole job in this investigation right now,” Malley 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.”
NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the tragic news in a short press conference just two hours later.
“This is an incredibly distressing development,” he said.
“Sharon’s family have been notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.”
Commissioner Dole says the little girl’s death is “devastating news” for her family, first responders, the Alice Springs community and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for Sharon.
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“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst possible outcome,” he said.
“It is very important that the Alice Springs community continues to support one another, and it’s equally important that police be allowed to do their job.”
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro offered her condolences to the community, saying the focus was now on “a grieving family, a grieving town and Northern Territory.”
She vowed to “throw every resource we have available” to the police investigation.
“Around 200 people have worked tirelessly around the clock in searching for this beautiful little girl,” she said.
She said when asked if a reward would be offered that “everything is on the table” and the government would follow the advice of police.
Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley said an autopsy would be arranged.
“And whilst that’s happening, the police are going to work hard to catch this person, catch the offender because this is a very dark day,” he said.
Commissioner Doyle said NT Police were “not in a position today to provide answers around the cause of (the little girl’s) death or how long she may have been deceased.”
Assistant Commissioner Malley said child’s underwear found on Wednesday had been analyzed, and two DNA profiles had been located – that of Kumanjayi Little Baby and of Jefferson.
Previously, NT Police had alleged 47-year-old Lewis – who they said was at the house at the time of Kumanjayi Little Baby’s disappearance – may have taken the five-year-old.
Police said Lewis was seen walking out of the house “with the little girl, holding hands” around 11 p.m. on April 25.
She was reported missing two hours later in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Malley said there was a social gathering taking place at the house at Old Timers Camp, where Lewis was staying at the time.
“We believe Jefferson Lewis has led the little girl away,” he said.
Malley said Lewis – who they believe may have been “under the influence of alcohol” at the time of the alleged abduction – had been released from prison only six days earlier.
Her disappearance sparked one of the largest searches in the Northern Territory, with more than 200 volunteers on the ground alongside police, helicopters, ATVs, horses and the dog squad.
Aboriginal trackers also assisted in the search, which stretched in the 20-square-kilometer radius of the Old Timers Camp, scouring through shoulder-high barrel grass and tough terrain.
Malley said the search for Sharon was “one of the biggest investigations we’ve had going for a while.”
“This is a declared major crime and as such I have got access to all the resources of the Northern Territory Police,” he said.
