Police in the Northern Territory are searching for a man they suspect of murder after finding a body believed to be that of a five-year-old girl who went missing from Alice Springs on Saturday.

The NT police commissioner, Martin Dole, told reporters the tragic discovery was made just before noon local time on Thursday. The girl’s family requested she be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby, in line with cultural protocols.

“Just before midday today, police members of the search party located the body of a young Aboriginal girl we believe to be five-year-old [Kumanjayi Little Baby],” he told reporters at a press conference in Alice Springs.

“The body was found about 5km south of the crime scene at Old Timers camp. This is an incredibly distressing development. [Her] family have been formally notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time.

“I want to be clear from the outset: we’re not in a position today to provide answers on the cause of [her] death or how long she may have been deceased. A postmortem examination will now be conducted, most likely tomorrow, and that will be a critical step in establishing those facts. The criminal investigation is ongoing and a coronial process is about to begin.

“This is devastating news, not only for [Kumanjayi Little Baby’s] family but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for [her].”

Kumanjayi Little Baby’s mother issued a message addressed to her daughter through NT police, saying she and Kumanjayi’s brother, Ramsiah, “miss and love you”.

“I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” she said. “Me and your brother will meet you one day … It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.

“Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.”

Kumanjayi Little Baby was last seen by her mother at 11.30pm on Saturday. A short time before her disappearance she was seen with a 47-year-old man named Jefferson Lewis, who was holding her hand.

An arrest order was issued for Lewis on Sunday. On Wednesday, police found a pair of children’s underwear, as well as a yellow T-shirt that matched clothing Lewis was seen wearing in body camera footage captured by police on Saturday night. That clothing has since been subject to forensic examination.

NT police assistant commissioner Peter Malley, who is leading the criminal investigation, said finding Lewis is their top priority.

“The focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis. It is our sole job in this investigation right now,” Malley told reporters.

He repeated concerns that someone in the community is either helping Lewis or concealing his location. On Wednesday, police said Lewis had no digital footprint – no telephone, no bank account, no car – making it difficult to track him.

“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he’s murdered this child. Do not assist him. Get him to the police station and we’ll look after him,” Malley said.

“And I say to Jefferson Lewis: we’re coming for you.”

Hundreds of volunteers and NT police scoured the scrub and bushland around the town camp for five days. As of Thursday morning 6 sq km had been covered on foot, with the remainder of the 20 sq km search area canvassed by helicopters and heat-detecting drones.More than 170 volunteers assembled for the search on Thursday morning.

“The community support the NT Police Force’s Search and Rescue team has received has been overwhelming,” police said in a statement, issued just hours before the body was discovered. “Police would like to thank the community for this support as they work to bring [her] home.”

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation, which represents 16 town camps in around Alice Springs, coordinated the community response and provided support for the family.

“I’m immensely proud of the efforts of Tangentyere staff, who are on the ground from daylight to dark, coordinating volunteers, making sure everyone is fed and hydrated and supporting the work of police and emergency services,” the CEO, Walter Shaw, said.

“Societies are judged by the support they give to their most vulnerable, and who is more vulnerable than a child? In this case, Alice Springs can be proud of the efforts.”

The federal minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, also joined search efforts and told ABC radio in Alice Springs on Thursday morning that she hoped the young girl was found safely and returned home.

“Like everyone, we want to be able to find this beautiful little girl,” Mcarthy said.

“[I’m] deeply saddened at the thought that she still has not been found, but incredibly grateful for the coming together of the Alice Springs community in working with Northern Territory police and emergency services … The family’s no doubt very appreciative of that too.”

This story was updated on 29 April 2026 to remove the young girl’s name in line with cultural protocols.