By now most people in Australia have seen images of the Hooper family going from elation and joy to despair moments after Lily was found by an SES crew.
An unfortunate miscommunication resulted in the Hoopers being told Lily was alive, but just minutes later the family were heart broken when that report was found to be wrong.
There isn’t a soul alive who wouldn’t have been moved by these scenes, such a terrible ordeal for fellow human beings who have lost an 18 year old daughter.
Soon the NSW Coroner will investigate the cause of Lily’s death and when she passed away, but for now everyone’s thoughts are with the Hooper family, who live on Burragorang Road, Oakdale.
Wollondilly Council last night lit up its chambers and other Shire buildings as a tribute to Lily, pictured above.
In a social media post, Mayor Matt Gould said there is an entire community wrapping its arms around Lily’s family and everyone who loved her.
“My heart is completely broken for Lily’s family, her friends and everyone who loved her. There really aren’t words for what they must be going through right now,’’ he said.
“For eight days our community held onto hope together. We watched every update, thought constantly of Lily and her family, and desperately wanted this beautiful young woman to be found safe.
“And through every one of those days, an extraordinary group of people kept searching.
“To every police officer, RFS and SES Volunteer, specialist search crew and every single person who spent hour after hour in incredibly difficult country looking for Lily, thank you. You gave absolutely everything you could to bring her home. I know our entire community will be forever grateful for the determination, compassion and sheer effort you showed for Lily and her family.’’
Opposition leader Angus Taylor, whose electorate of Hume includes the Hooper family, also posted a tribute on social media.
“Our thoughts are with Lily Hooper’s family and loved ones on this tragic day.
“We can only imagine what Lily’s parents are going through right now.
“Lily loved bushwalking. And that fact only compounds the tragedy of her death.
“I want to thank all those who helped search for and locate Lily. The hundreds of police, fire and emergency services, ADF personnel, and volunteers.
“Please spare a thought and a prayer for Lily’s mother, father, family and friends. We grieve for their most terrible loss.’’
Lily Hooper told her family she was going bush walking at the Nattai National Park on the morning of Wednesday, August 12.
Her body was found yesterday, Thursday, August at 11.30am, eight days after the 18 year old had said what has now turned out to be a final goodbye to her family and drove off heading to the mountains.
Her parents reported her missing at 10pm on that first day.
Up to 1000 multi agency personnel searched every nook and cranny of the area experts believed Lily would be most likely to be found.
Lily Hooper, Rest In Peace.
