The heartbroken family of an abducted girl say they will see her one day in heaven after an outback search for the five-year-old ended in tragedy.
A child's body was found in bushland near Alice Springs on Thursday as almost 200 people desperately looked for the girl, referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby at her family's request.
The shattering discovery was made on day five of one of the Northern Territory's biggest searches, located just 5km from where she was allegedly abducted by recently released prisoner Jefferson Lewis.
Police issued a chilling warning to Lewis as they ramped up their manhunt on Thursday, saying: "We're coming for you."
The devastated family of Kumanjayi Little Baby paid tribute to their beloved girl, thanking everyone who took part in the intensive land and air search across harsh desert country.
"I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family," her mother said in a statement.
"Me and your brother will meet you one day. We are giving our lives to Jesus.
"It's 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."
The girl went missing after being put to bed at a residence in the Old Timers camp near Alice Springs on Saturday night.
Police suspect Lewis abducted her six days after being released from prison.
The child's body was found about midday on Thursday.
"This is an incredibly distressing development," NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole told reporters.
"(Her) family has been formally notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time."
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said forensic testing on items seized from the crime scene had strengthened their focus on Lewis.
He said a pair of children's underwear found during the investigation had been linked by forensic analysis to both Lewis and the girl.
"The focus right now is to locate Lewis – it is our sole job in this investigation right now," he said.
In a stark message to the suspect's relatives, Mr Malley urged them not to harbour or assist him.
"To the family of Jefferson Lewis: we believe he has murdered this child - do not assist him," he said.
"Get him to the police station and we'll look after him. And I'll say to Jefferson Lewis: we're coming for you."
Police previously said there were people in the community who "absolutely know" where Lewis was.
They warned that anyone sheltering him would face charges.
Lewis was sentenced to 64 months in prison, between 2016 and 2025, for offences including aggravated assaults, breaching domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro thanked everyone who took part in the search for "this beautiful little girl".
Scores of police, emergency services workers, defence personnel, Aboriginal trackers and community volunteers scoured the area with helicopters, drones, horses, dogs and all-terrain vehicles during the search.
"Everyone is incredibly devastated by the outcome, so our hearts are with everyone grieving this loss," Ms Finocchiaro said.
She did not rule out a reward or policy response as police hunted Lewis, saying "everything is on the table".
Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser said it would be an "unimaginable horror" for a parent to find someone had abducted their child.
It was important for Alice Springs residents to assist police in catching the suspect, he told the ABC.
Police said support from the Alice Springs community and across Australia had been "overwhelming", urging locals to continue supporting each other as the investigation entered its next phase.
A post-mortem examination, expected to be conducted within days, would be crucial in determining the cause and timing of the girl's death, police said.
A coronial process and full criminal investigation are underway.
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