The body of missing German tourist Monika Billen has been found in Australia’s far north, Northern Territory police said in a statement.
The 62-year-old had been reported missing on January 9 after she failed to return to her accommodation in Alice Springs, a rural town in the center of Australia.
Police said at the time it was believed Billen had been interested in walking a number of local bush trails. She was last seen in person by hotel staff on January 1.
The body was discovered Wednesday 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles) west of Emily Gap, close to Alice Springs, off a track and under a tree, police said.
“It is deeply upsetting that we have to tell her family this sad news, but we are relieved to be able to provide them with answers,” Superintendent Pauline Vicary of the Alice Springs Division said in a statement.
The discovery followed an extensive land and air search of the region by Australian police and emergency services, as well as parks services and rangers.
“Members have worked tirelessly to locate the 62-year-old since she was reported missing to police,” he said.
Vicary said police had used additional information from Billen’s telecommunications provider to assist in aerial searches over specific areas.
Bellen’s death comes amid a record-breaking heat wave across Australia, affecting almost every state and territory and causing temperatures to soar well above average.
The majority of January days in Alice Springs so far this year have been above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
One motorist who came forward to police said he had seen Billen apparently disorientated and dehydrated on January 2, and had given her a lift. Police said she turned down water and asked to be dropped off on Barrett Drive in Alice Springs.
Having contacted Billen’s family, Northern Territory police said they would now prepare a report for the coroner.