Esmé Caverly: Family pay tribute to Byron Bay woman after death in Whian Whian State Forest

Friends and family of a Byron Bay woman who went missing before being found dead in a state conservation park have paid tribute to the “vibrant, creative and witty” woman. Here’s what we know.

Esmé Caverly went missing on May 21 2025 and was found dead two days later. Picture: GoFundMe

Friends and family have paid tribute to a “vibrant” young woman who went missing in a northern NSW state forest before being found dead two days later.

Esmé Caverly was just 25-years-old when she visited the Whian Whian State Forest, north of Lismore on May 21.

The park was a place Ms Caverly frequently visited, but on that day she went missing and was last seen at Minyon Falls Lookout, with emergency services alerted to her disappearance.

A search was conducted involving local police officers, the Police Rescue Squad, State Emergency Services and the National Parks and Wildlife Services.

On May 23, Ms Caverly’s body was located with police issuing a statement that a report would be prepared for the coroner and there were “no suspicious circumstances”.

Esmé was last seen at Minyon Falls Lookout. Picture: Google Maps

One of Ms Caverly’s oldest and closest friends Eliza Hall set up a fundraiser to help cover the funeral costs and ease any financial burdens on her friend’s family.

Ms Hall described her dear friend as a “kind, gentle, inclusive and compassionate” person.

“Her innate ability to connect with and comfort others was astounding,” Ms Hall wrote on the GoFundMe page.

“She was vibrant, creative and witty. A young woman who moved through life with both strength and softness; she was a force of nature.

“Her Mum, Rowena, wishes to lay Esmé to rest in Byron Bay – in the town that Esmé was born and raised in. Byron Bay Cemetery will provide a permanent and accessible location for Esmé’s loved ones to visit, to continue to be close to her.”

So far the fundraiser has exceeded its $15,000 goal with more than $22,000 raised.

Originally published as Esmé Caverly: Family pay tribute to Byron Bay woman after death in Whian Whian State Forest