Body found in outback believed to be that of missing hiker Claire Hockridge

Updated

The sister of Claire Hockridge, who was found dead after 15 days lost in the Northern Territory outback, has said the family is grateful to police and pastoralists for their efforts in trying to save her.

Key points: Police said they located a body believed to be that of Claire Hockridge

Ms Hockridge and two companions— who have since been found — were first reported missing south of Alice Springs on November 23

Police this morning said they were concerned Ms Hockridge had run out of water

NT Police confirmed they located a body, believed to be that of Ms Hockridge, at 1:00pm on Wednesday.

Ms Hockridge was the last found in a group of three people that went missing after embarking on a trek on November 19.

Her partner Tamra McBeath-Riley, 52, was found alive December 1, and their companion Phu Tran, 40, was found alive on Tuesday morning, in what has been called a "miracle" survival story.

Sarah Hockridge, one of Ms Hockridge's triplet sisters, said the family was grieving and exhausted "from the emotional rollercoaster that we have ridden".

"Even though Claire has died in terrible circumstances, we are glad that Tamra and Phu have been found alive and well, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who was involved in that," she said.

"My parents, brothers, Melinda and I extend our gratitude to the Northern Territory Police for their skilful investigation that allowed the search area to be focussed correctly.

"They haven't had a day off since this whole thing started."

Sarah Hockridge also thanked the staff at the Stuarts Well and Northern Territory pastoralists.

"Thank you so very, very much, you know what you have done," she said.

"We are really grateful to everyone who has supported us over what has been a truly agonising time."

NT Police Superintendent Pauline Vicary said the woman's body was located about 38 kilometres south-east of Stuarts Well, around 8.5 kilometres from the east of the Stuart Highway.

Superintendent Vicary said they were concerned this morning that Ms Hockridge had run out of water, but that there were still hopes she had managed to survive.

Ms Hockridge was last seen by Mr Tran at the boundary fence of a station south of Alice Springs two days ago, where the two had parted ways and he decided to follow the fence line.

Mr Tran was found by a pastoralist on Tuesday morning.

Speaking alongside Ms Hockridge's family members at the Alice Springs Police Station on Wednesday, Mr Tran thanked the NT emergency services and rescue teams for their efforts.

"I hope that everyone will give us a few days for grieving," he said.

Superintendent Vicary said authorities were still determining the circumstances that led to the separation of Ms Hockridge and Mr Tran.

"It may have been that she was exhausted and didn't feel like she could continue to go," she said.

Efforts to find Ms Hockridge were hampered by thick dense scrub and the fact the missing woman continued to move location, Superintendent Vicary said.

The trio was reported missing on November 23 and police began an air search three days later, initially focussing on areas south of Alice Springs near Owen Springs, Stuarts Well and Rainbow Valley.

The body is yet to be formally identified and NT Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Topics: police, missing-person, accidents---other, nt, alice-springs-0870

First posted