Key Takeaways
- The body of five‑year‑old Sharon Granites was discovered five kilometres south of the Old Timers Aboriginal Town Camp where she vanished on Saturday night.
- Police believe Jefferson Lewis, a 47‑year‑old man recently released from prison and known to have stayed near the camp, abducted and murdered Sharon; he remains at large.
- DNA testing on clothing found in a nearby riverbed revealed two profiles, linking the suspect to the scene.
- A large‑scale search involving over 160 police officers and volunteers was expanded after the initial area yielded no trace, prompting a “1930s‑style” shoe‑leather investigation due to Lewis’s lack of phone, bank account, or vehicle.
- Community leaders expressed grief and distrust toward Lewis, describing Sharon as a happy child loved by her family and emphasizing the protective bond she shared with her older brother.
- Authorities have coordinated with Western Australian police to monitor Lewis’s known associates, though no sightings have been reported.
- A post‑mortem examination will determine the cause and timing of Sharon’s death, while police continue to prioritize locating Jefferson Lewis.
Discovery of Sharon Granites’ Body
On Thursday, just before midday, members of the NT Police search party located the body of a young Aboriginal girl believed to be five‑year‑old Sharon Granites, approximately five kilometres south of the Old Timers Aboriginal Town Camp where she was last seen. NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced the tragic find, confirming that Sharon’s family had been formally notified and expressing his condolences. The discovery marked the grim conclusion of a five‑day search that had mobilised dozens of officers and community volunteers.
Circumstances of Sharon’s Disappearance
Sharon vanished from her family’s home in Old Timers Camp on Saturday night while under the care of relatives. Police investigators quickly identified Jefferson Lewis, a 47‑year‑old man who had been staying in the area after recent release from prison, as the primary suspect in her abduction. Although Lewis had no prior convictions for child‑related offences, his criminal history includes multiple serious assaults and domestic‑violence charges, raising concerns about his potential threat to the community.
Police Statement and Investigation Focus
Commissioner Dole emphasised that investigators were not yet able to disclose the cause of Sharon’s death or how long she may have been deceased, pending a post‑mortem examination. He stressed that the immediate priority was to locate Jefferson Lewis, describing the suspect as a fugitive who must be apprehended. Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley echoed this sentiment, urging the public not to assist Lewis and to turn him over to authorities, while directly warning Lewis that police were actively pursuing him.
Forensic Evidence from the Riverbed
Testing on clothing recovered from a riverbed near the camp on Sunday revealed two distinct DNA profiles, one of which matched Sharon Granites and the other belonging to an unidentified individual—presumably Jefferson Lewis. This forensic link bolstered the police theory that Lewis had been in close contact with the victim’s belongings after the alleged abduction, providing a tangible lead in the absence of direct sightings of the suspect.
Community Response and Support
Relatives from across the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region converged on the small house in Old Timers Camp to offer support to Sharon’s grieving family as the search entered its fifth day. Peggy Rockman Granites, Sharon’s paternal grandmother, tearfully recalled the five‑year‑old’s “beautiful relationship” with her father and expressed her longing for Sharon’s safe return. Peggy, who often babysat Sharon and her brother, described holding Sharon’s hand while walking through the community and said she “couldn’t wait for her to come home.”
Family Memories of Sharon
Rose Spencer, Sharon’s great aunt, spoke fondly of the child as a “happy, pretty girl” who named their tiny kitten Yellow and enjoyed watching videos on YouTube. She highlighted the protective nature of Sharon’s older brother, who would routinely lift her up and dust her off after any fall or hurt. Spencer’s reflections painted a picture of a beloved child whose loss resonated deeply throughout the tight‑knit camp community.
Challenges in Locating Jefferson Lewis
The manhunt for Lewis has been complicated by his lack of a mobile phone, bank account, or vehicle, forcing police to resort to traditional “shoe‑leather” tactics—physically scouring known haunts and reviewing historical GPS data from an old ankle‑monitoring bracelet. Over 160 police officers and volunteers have combed the Todd River hinterland and surrounding areas, yet no trace of Lewis has emerged, prompting authorities to broaden their search beyond Alice Springs.
Inter‑State Cooperation and Ongoing Efforts
NT Police have reached out to neighbouring states for assistance, with Western Australian Police Commissioner Col Blanch confirming that WA officers had visited Balgo, a remote Kimberley community where Lewis’s wife resides. While no sightings have been reported, Blanch stressed the importance of cross‑border collaboration to monitor potential movements of the suspect. The police continue to treat the case as an active homicide investigation, prioritising Lewis’s capture while awaiting the results of Sharon’s post‑mortem examination.