Tragedy as body of missing German tourist, 62, who was last seen in the Outback on New Year’s Day is discovered
- German tourist Monika Billen’s body is believed to have been found
- Her body was spotted during an aerial search under a tree on Wednesday
- The 62-year-old was last seen around Emily Gap in the Northern Territory
- A motorist told police she hitched a ride back to her hotel resort on January 2
- But she hadn’t been seen since, and was supposed to check out on January 5
The body of German tourist Monika Billen is believed to have been found under a tree just a few kilometres from where she went missing in the Australian Outback.
Ms Billen was last seen around Emily Gap, off Ross Highway in the Northern Territory, on January 1, but a motorist told police she accepted a lift from the area back towards town the following day.
On Wednesday Northern Territory Police located a body in the East MacDonnell Ranges believed to be that of the 62-year-old.
The body of German tourist Monika Billen (pictured) is believed to have been found under a tree on Wednesday
Superintendent Pauline Vicary said police found the body 2.9km’s west of Emily Gap off a track and under a tree at 3.15pm after numerous aerial searches.
They were partially led to her final resting place by using signals from Ms Billen’s phone.
‘Police received additional information from Ms Billen’s telecommunications provider and continued with aerial searches in specific areas for the past two days,’ Ms Vicary said.
‘It has required extensive work, interpreting data from both international and national phone providers, but the outcome assisted in narrowing down the search parameters and eventually locating Ms Billen.’
Missing German tourist Monika Billen (pictured) hitched a ride back towards her resort before she disappeared
‘Members have worked tirelessly to locate the 62-year-old since she was reported missing to police on January 8.’
Ms Billen, 62, was reported missing at 11am on Tuesday last week after a German national said she hadn’t returned to her accommodation at the Desert Palms Resort on Barrett Drive.
She was meant to check out by January 5, according to Northern Territory Police.
Police initially said her last known whereabouts were on New Year’s Day when CCTV footage showed her outside the Desert Palms Resort.
Ms Billen, 62, was reported missing at 11am on January 8 after a German national said she hadn’t returned to her accommodation at the Desert Palms Resort on Barrett Drive (pictured)
Several people had told police they saw Ms Billen (pictured) around Alice Springs, including a motorist who gave her a lift
Several people have told police they saw Ms Billen around Alice Springs, including the motorist who gave her a lift on January 2.
The motorist told police Ms Billen asked to be dropped back close to town at the Olive Pink Botanic Garden.
They also insisted Ms Billen looked dehydrated and disorientated but declined an offer of water.
Temperatures have been consistently above 40C in central Australia since the start of 2019.
Temperatures have been consistently above 40C in central Australia since the start of 2019 Police (The Larapinta Trail pictured)