Devastating discovery in the hunt for missing little Sharon, 5 – as cops send message to the ex-con seen leading her into the dark: ‘Jefferson Lewis – we’re coming for you’

Police have found the body of missing five-year-old Sharon Granites, five days after she vanished after being led into the dark holding the hand of violent ex-con, Jefferson Lewis, 47.  

Her body was found just before midday on Thursday in bush 5km south of the Old Timers camp, near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, where she disappeared on Anzac Day.

The grim discovery came after police found her underwear at a crime scene near the camp, along with Lewis’s yellow top he was seen wearing on the day she vanished.

Forensic testing results today revealed that the underwear had traces of two DNA profiles which match Sharon and Lewis.

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole described it as the worst possible outcome, and accused Lewis of murdering the girl, who was his distant relative.

‘The focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis,’ NT Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said on Thursday afternoon.

‘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. And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we’re coming for you.’

Commr Dole added police ‘were not in a position today to provide answers around the cause of Sharon’s death, or how long she may have been deceased’.

‘A post mortem examination will now be conducted, most likely tomorrow, and that will be a critical step in establishing those facts,’ he added.

‘The criminal investigation is ongoing, and a coronial process will now also begin. As a result, there will be now limitations on what we can say publicly.

‘Finally, this is devastating news, not only for Sharon’s family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for Sharon.  

‘The support shown during this time has been overwhelming, and this is the worst possible outcome.’

More than 170 volunteers have scoured chest-high grass and deep sand near Old Timers town camp since she vanished. 

Just before her body was found, NT Police made a public callout for experienced civilian horse-riders to join the search. 

It was confirmed this morning that Sharon was ‘non-verbal’ and communicated using her hands.

Lewis was seen leading Sharon away around 11pm on the night of her disappearance, soon after her mother put her to bed, and police were called around 1.30am.

They had earlier attended the area that evening on an unrelated call, where Lewis – wearing his distinctive yellow shirt that was seized by forensics at the crime scene – was captured on bodycam vision.

Lewis remains at large, and does not have a vehicle, a phone or even a bank card, rendering modern-day investigation techniques used by police effectively useless. 

In October 2024 Lewis was given a total sentence of 18 months, with a 12-month non-parole period.

It’s understood Lewis – who was released from prison without conditions despite a lengthy list of criminal convictions – was staying at a home within Old Timers, and was known to Sharon’s family.

Police said Sharon and her mother had attended the address that night to do some washing and her mother was ‘distraught’ at her daughter’s disappearance.

Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison in March 2025, after pleading guilty to breaching a domestic violence order and resisting police.