Teen hiker's disappearance ends in tragedy at national park with key question remaining

An eight-day search in a remote national park for a missing person has yielded a tragic outcome for a desperate family.

An 18-year-old Australian hiker was found dead in dense bushland , authorities said.

Lily Hooper, a teenager from Oakdale, southwest of Sydney, had set out for a hike in the park, according to SBS News, a public broadcaster in Australia — and went missing on Aug.

12.

A body believed to be Hooper's was found in bushland in Nattai National Park , which New South Wales Police described as about 37 miles northwest of the town of Mittagong.

MAN PLUNGES 120 FEET INTO CREEK WHILE TAKING PHOTO AT FAMOUS NATIONAL PARK Authorities have not determined or released a cause of death.

The outlet reported that Hooper's car was found at the Bonnum Pic trailhead the same night she went missing.

The week-long search ended Thursday morning when "the body of a woman was located in bushland," said NSW Police.

"While yet to be formally identified, the body is believed to be that of the 18-year-old woman," police said late last week, adding that a report would be prepared for the coroner.

YELLOWSTONE OFFICIALS DECIDE FATE OF BISON THAT LAUNCHED GRANDFATHER 8 FEET IN AIR A volunteer located the body at around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday — but a communication breakdown initially led the young woman's family to believe she had been found alive, said New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Cassar.

"[The family] were [given] initial information [that] the searchers believed she was alive, and that's what was communicated," Cassar told reporters.

"Within eight to 10 minutes we were able to give them an update, which was a more accurate account," he added.

Hooper's death drew commentary from Australia's top political leaders and even prompted a moment of silence in Parliament.

NURSE IMPALED BY POLE DURING HIKE FORCED TO TREK 10 MILES FOR HELP: 'A FREAK THING' "The tragedy of a parent losing a young one ... is an unspeakable tragedy," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, per SBS News.