Quick Read
- Police have officially upgraded the search for 5-year-old Sharon Granites to a suspected abduction investigation involving a recently released prisoner.
- The search area covers 20 square kilometres of dense, challenging bushland, utilizing drones, helicopters, and over 60 volunteers.
- Officials have launched a manhunt for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who was present at the residence when the child disappeared.
ALICE SPRINGS (Azat TV) – A massive, multi-agency search for five-year-old Sharon Granites has entered its third day in the harsh bushland surrounding Alice Springs, as Northern Territory Police confirm they are treating the disappearance as a suspected abduction. Authorities are currently coordinating a wide-scale manhunt for 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, a recently released prisoner who was staying at the same residence where the child was last seen on Saturday night.
Manhunt and Search Operations Intensify
Northern Territory Police have deployed helicopters, heat-sensor drones, and specialized canine units to scour approximately 20 square kilometres of dense scrubland near the Old Timers camp. Despite the commitment of dozens of police personnel, Australian Army Reserve members, and local volunteers, officials stated on Tuesday that no definitive traces of the child or the suspect have been located. Police Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Intelligence, Peter Malley, confirmed that Lewis, who has an extensive criminal history involving assault and domestic violence, was released from prison only six days prior to the incident.
Community Vigilance and Investigation Stakes
The urgency of the search is compounded by the extreme climate of the Northern Territory, where temperatures fluctuate significantly between daytime heat and single-digit overnight lows. Police have urged Alice Springs residents to maintain extreme vigilance, emphasizing that any information, regardless of how minor it may appear, could be critical to locating Sharon. While investigators have not yet determined a clear motive for the alleged abduction, they are actively probing whether Lewis acted alone or received assistance from an accomplice. The investigation has been further bolstered by the arrival of major crime squad detectives from Darwin to support local efforts.
Search Challenges in Remote Bushland
Search and rescue teams are currently navigating exceptionally difficult terrain, characterized by tall grass and dense vegetation that severely limits visibility. Sergeant Matt Hall of the NT Police search and rescue section described the operational challenges, noting that searchers are often required to move in shoulder-to-shoulder formations to ensure the area is covered methodically. Local organizations, including the Tangentyere Council, have mobilized dozens of staff to assist in the ground patrol efforts, reflecting the deep concern within the local Aboriginal community as the search reaches this critical juncture.
The shift from an initial missing-person response to a high-priority criminal abduction investigation underscores the critical nature of the first 72 hours in such cases, as police balance the immediate search for the child’s safety against the need to track a suspect with a known history of violence.