Karl Stefanovic’s Christmas holiday got off to a terrifying start on Wednesday, with the disappearance of his four-year-old daughter sparking a desperate search.
Police were called to the TV star’s lavish Noosa home shortly about 4.20pm when little Harper vanished from the sprawling property overlooking the beach.
A panicked Karl, along with his wife, Jasmine, were seen frantically scouring the area as a Queensland Police helicopter hovered above looking for the child.
The Today Show host then took off on a Vespa and asked Sunshine Beach locals if they’d seen the little girl.
Neighbours promptly joined the search and also used scooters to check nearby streets and bush trails leading to the ocean.
On the beach, Harper’s 19-year-old sister, Ava, and her Argentinian athlete boyfriend Genaro Abdola, joined lifeguards asking beachgoers for help.
Fears grew for Harper’s safety as nightfall and storms approached.
But she was eventually found an hour later inside the family’s holiday home ‘curled up asleep underneath a chair where no one could possibly have hidden’, Stefanovic told the Daily Telegraph.
Karl Stefanovic (pictured with police) was seen frantically searching his Sunshine Coast home after four-year-old daughter Harper went missing
Harper’s older sister, Ava, and her boyfriend (pictured together) went to the nearby beach to search for the four-year-old, but with no luck
Neighbours soon joined the search, also using scooters to check nearby streets
Harper is the first child of Karl and Jasmine (pictured together), who married at the One&Only Palmilla resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, in December 2018
He described the ordeal as the ‘worst nightmare.’
‘We feared the absolute worst because no one could find her,’ he said.
‘I called the police because she couldn’t be found inside or around the house and our priority is her safety.’
Stefanovic thanked police and neighbours who assisted in the search and apologised ‘for the fuss’.
He had to assure little Harper that Santa won’t find out the panic she caused a week out from Christmas.
‘But somehow I think he knows,’ Stefanovic quipped.
Harper is the first child of Karl and Jasmine, born in May, 2020, at Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital.
The couple began dating in late 2016, five months after Stefanovic separated from his first wife Cassandra Thorburn, following 21 years of marriage.
The former couple share three children: sons River and Jackson and daughter Ava, who also goes by the name Willow.
He met Jasmine, a former model, at a boat party on Sydney Harbour.
The Stefanovics married at the One&Only Palmilla resort in Los Cabos, Mexico, in December 2018.
The Today presenter’s lavish Sunshine Coast getaway made headlines earlier this year when he listed it on Noosa Beach Abodes for $1,000 a night.
Queensland Police deployed a helicopter to check the water while lifeguards asked beachgoers if they had seen the young girl
The search for four-year-old Harper was called off after an hour when she was found inside the family home
Ava and her boyfriend asked beachgoers if they’d seen Harper (pictured, Ava Stefanovic’s boyfriend wearing shorts plastered with Karl’s face)
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom holiday house, dubbed Villa Isabelle, sits on a cliff overlooking the popular shoreline in southeast Queensland
Karl’s Noosa escape is spread over three levels, with the middle level featuring an open plan kitchen, dining and large living area
This beautifully decorated open plan area flows out onto the outdoor the entertaining area
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom holiday house, dubbed Villa Isabelle, sits on a cliff overlooking the popular shoreline in southeast Queensland.
The listing describes Karl’s property as an ‘architecturally designed home’ that offers guests ‘comfort and relaxation at its finest.’
Meanwhile, indoor and outdoor open-plan living areas flow to the outdoor entertaining decks, BBQ area, private balconies and a heated swimming pool.
Karl’s Noosa escape is spread over three levels, with the middle level featuring an open plan kitchen, dining and large living area with large glass sliding doors allowing the beautiful sea breezes in.
This beautifully decorated open plan area flows out onto the outdoor the entertaining area and pool.
Karl (pictured) rode the streets on a Vespa during the search for little Harper on Wednesday
Several neighbours joined the brief search for the missing four-year-old on Wednesday afternoon
Harper (pictured with her dad) was born in May, 2020, at Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital
Also on the middle level are two of the main bedrooms with their own private en suites and balconies.
On the upper level, the holiday home has another two bedrooms with king-sized beds.
The ground floor is where the stylish and chic bunk room is located, which features a colourful mural wall behind two generously sized bunk beds.
The undercover garage is also located on the lower level, where the entrance is likewise located.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk