The body of the missing German tourist Monika Billen is believed to have been found in the East MacDonnell Ranges outside Alice Springs, as police in Western Australia said the body of a woman missing since the weekend had also been found.

WA police said Felicity Shadbolt’s body was found in bushland near Mount Nameless by a member of the public about 7pm on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old was last seen at the weekend in Tom Price.

Billen was last seen around Emily Gap in the ranges on the afternoon of New Year’s Day but a witness told investigators she had given her a ride the day before.

On Wednesday, Northern Territory police located a body believed to be that of the 62-year-old during aerial searches.

In a statement, Supt Pauline Vicary said police found the body at 3.15pm under a tree and off a track 2.9km west of Emily Gap.

Authorities were contacted on 8 January after Billen failed to check out of her hotel and board a flight to Darwin.

“Police received additional information from Ms Billen’s telecommunications provider and continued with aerial searches in specific areas for the past two days,” Vicary said.

Northern Territory police had using drones, remote aircraft and motorbikes to search for Billen.

NT police previously said CCTV footage from 1 January clearly showed Billen walking out the front of the resort on Barrett Drive and later south along the Todd River. They said brochures in Billen’s hotel room suggested she may have been interested in walking local trails, including the Larapinta trail.

Police have contacted the family.

“It is deeply upsetting that we have to tell her family this sad news but we are relieved to be able to provide them with answers,” Vicary said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.