Human remains found in Kakadu National Park believed to be Jessica Stephens

Human remains have been found in the search for a missing 35-year-old woman in Kakadu National Park.

Northern Territory Police have found human remains in Kakadu National Park, believed to be 35-year-old Jessica Louise Stephens.

The remains were located on Nourlangie Rock on Saturday within a search area established on October 24 after she failed to contact family.

Police are in communication with the woman’s family and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Ms Stephens vanished after setting up camp near Nourlangie Rock, about 36km south of Jabiru.

Concerns were raised after the Queensland woman failed to contact her Whitsunday-based family since October 19.

On Friday, Senior Sergeant Steven Langdon said since the five-day search began, 30 rangers, 14 police officers, two helicopters, and four drones had searched through 140 sqkm, and travelled along 200km of parks trails and roads in the park.

Sergeant Langdon revealed the search had uncovered a number of personal items, with the search concentrating to an area “deep into the rock part of Nourlangie Rocks”.

“The personal items were found quite a way from the track,” he said.

Nourlangie Rock (Burrungkuy) in Kakadu National Park.

With temperatures exceeding 38C and a weekend heatwave warning, Sergeant Langdon said there was “great concern” for Ms Stephen’s welfare.

“It is a race against time,” he said.

“The terrain is incredibly difficult, incredibly slow to search, and takes a while to search through the crevices and rocks.

“It’s quite a hard place to get to.”

Sergeant Langdon would not say if police were considering when the missing persons search became a recovery mission.

“We do have to understand that obviously at this temperature, at this point in time we are hopeful we can still find Ms Stephens alive.”

“(But) the conditions aren’t favourable for that at this particularly point in time, nor is the terrain.”

He said police were in daily contact with Ms Stephens’ mother, who has said her daughter was recently discharged from the mental health ward at Darwin Royal Hospital.

Sergeant Langdon said he could not comment on the sufficiency of follow ups with the woman after her hospital release.

He said it was suspected she was travelling alone in the park when she wandered off the track.

He said there was no indication that she had food and water supplies with her at the time.

Remains believed to be Jessica Louise Stephens have been found in Kakadu National Park. Picture: NTPFES

Desperate search in gruelling conditions for missing woman

WED: NT Police are searching for a woman believed to have gone missing while camping in Kakadu National Park.

Jessica Louise Stephens, 35, travelled to the iconic Territory location on October 19 and camped near Nourlangie Rock, about 36km south of Jabiru.

However, the woman from the Whitsundays in Queensland has not contacted her family since.

Police have since found her vehicle, but have not yet been able to find Ms Stephens.

Temperatures in the area are forecast to reach 41 degrees and may be hotter in the rocky country.

Temperatures in the Jabiru area have been between 37 and 39 degrees since Ms Stephens went missing.

Police, alongside Kakadu National Park Rangers, have since begun a land and aerial search operation.

The search involves 22 rangers, and 10 police officers using quad bikes, motorbikes and two helicopters to help in search efforts.

Acting Senior Sergeant Steve Langdon said the operation remains a search and rescue.

“Items collected (Tuesday) suggesting that Jessica was mobile as early as (Tuesday) morning,” he said.

“Temperatures in the area are forecasted to reach 41 degrees, and the terrain in Kakadu is unforgiving.

“However, we have multiple assets deployed into the area and we remain hopeful that we will find Jessica safe and well.”

It is understood Ms Stephens was receiving mental health treatment at Royal Darwin Hospital, and was discharged two weeks ago with family concerned she was still unwell at the time.

An NT Health spokeswoman said they could not provide information about an individual’s care for privacy reasons, however said there were patient follow up services.

“Seven day post-discharge is follow-up is required for most patients discharged from the Royal Darwin Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Unit,” she said.

“For adults, the follow up is co-ordinated by the Mental Health Access Team (MHAT) and to ensure consumers remain connected with community health services.”

Police urge anyone who sighted Ms Stephens or has information about her possible whereabouts to contact 131 444, and reference 10490265.