The heartbroken mother of a woman whose remains were found after a desperate search in the Outback has broken her silence.
Jessica Louise Stephens, 35, last spoke to her family on October 17 before disappearing near Nourlangie Rock in the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park, where she had gone camping.
The intensive search for Ms Stephens, which had been underway since Tuesday, ended on Saturday after her human remains were discovered at Nourlangie Rock at around 1pm.
Her mother, Karen Evans, shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook after police informed her of the grim news.
‘Our beautiful Jess has been found. Her soul was set free in the peace of dreamtime and heaven,” Ms. Evans wrote.
The heartbroken mother of Jessica Stephens, 35, (pictured) has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful’ daughter after her remains were found in Kakadu National Park
Ms Evans shared the tribute to her daughter alongside a video of Saturday’s sunset, writing: ‘Tonight the sunset on our broken hearts.’
“The sunset tonight reminds us how short our lives can be.
“We will miss our beautiful daughter, sister, mother and granddaughter.”
Speaking to the ABCMs Evans thanked the search and rescue team for working in severe weather conditions.
“I would also like to thank the entire search staff, the Kakadu Traditional Owners and the police for the extensive search and eventual discovery of Jess,” Ms Evans said.
Human remains believed to be Mrs Stephens were found near Nourlangie Rock (pictured) on Saturday after the search for the missing camper began on Tuesday
Ms Stephen’s mother revealed her daughter had recently been discharged from a mental health unit at Darwin Royal Hospital
In total, 30 rangers, 14 police officers, two helicopters and drones had searched an area of 140 square kilometers in the hope of locating Ms Stephens.
Kakadu is one of Australia’s largest national parks, covering almost 20,000 square kilometers of land.
Ms Stephens’ mother revealed her daughter had recently been discharged from a mental health unit at Darwin Royal Hospital.
Police are speaking to the camper’s family and a report will be prepared for the coroner.