Child's underwear has been discovered at the crime scene near where five-year-old Sharon Granites was last seen being led into the darkness by a violent ex-convict. The young girl was reported missing from Ilyperenye (Old Timers) Town Camp outside Alice Springs in the Northern Territory around 11:30 PM on Anzac Day.
Police believe Sharon was abducted by Jefferson Lewis, a convicted criminal who had been released from prison just six days earlier. He was the last person seen with the girl before she vanished.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley revealed that investigators found what is believed to be the child's underwear, a bright yellow T-shirt Lewis had been wearing earlier that evening, and a doona. The items have been sent for forensic testing, which may confirm fears that the child was sexually molested. Results are expected on Thursday.
As the fourth day of searching rough terrain and dense grassland continues, hopes are fading that Sharon will be found safe and well. 'We are right on the threshold of her still being alive,' Asst Comm Malley admitted.
Police and volunteers have searched on foot within a 20-kilometre radius of Alice Springs and have also attended addresses in Yuendumu and Lajamanu in connection with the search. Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole stated they 'absolutely, firmly believe there's members of the community that know where (Lewis) is'. 'Tell us. Tell us what you know,' he urged.
On the night of Sharon's disappearance, police had been called to Town Camp earlier that evening when Lewis was captured on bodycam footage wearing the distinctive yellow shirt that has now been sent to Darwin for forensic testing. Mr Malley confirmed 'alcohol had been consumed' that night and that Lewis was 'probably under the influence'.
Sharon is described as a 'sweet, affectionate little girl'. Police have shared intelligence with South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland police, but insist Lewis remains in the Alice Springs area. 'We still believe that he is local, but we will consider everything,' Mr Malley said.
In October 2024, Lewis was given a total sentence of 18 months with a 12-month non-parole period. The Australian Defence Force, Aboriginal trackers, and around 70 volunteers have joined the search, covering difficult terrain involving soft sand and long grass.
It is understood that Lewis, recently released from prison without conditions despite a lengthy criminal record, was staying at a home within Old Timers and was known to Sharon's family. Police said Sharon and her mother had attended that address that night to do some washing, and her mother is 'distraught' over her little girl's disappearance.
Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison in March 2025 after pleading guilty to breaching a domestic violence order and resisting police. This came just five months after he faced court charged with aggravated assault, breaching his domestic violence order, and breaching bail.
Police have attended addresses connected to Lewis in the Indigenous communities of Yuendumu and Lajamanu but believe he has not left the area.
