Body found in search for missing Northern Territory girl

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name and image of a deceased person.

Missing Northern Territory girl Sharon Granites has been found dead days after she went missing in Alice Springs, police have announced.

Before noon today, NT police found the body of a girl, believed to be the missing five-year-old child.

Police said the body was found about three miles south of the crime scene

“This is an incredibly distressing development,” said Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole.

“Sharon’s family have been formally notified and our thoughts are with them at this devastating time.

“I want to be clear from the start: we are not in a position today to provide answers about the cause of Sharon’s death or how long she has been dead.

‘A post-mortem examination will probably be carried out tomorrow and that will be a crucial step in establishing those facts.

‘The criminal investigation is ongoing and a coronial investigation will now also begin.

“As a result, there will now be restrictions on what we can say in public.

‘Finally, this is devastating news not only for Sharon’s family, but also for first responders, the Alice Springs community and everyone in Australia who is concerned about Sharon.

“The support we have shown during that time has been overwhelming.”