Tea Wright-Finger: Tragic end to search for missing Richmond teen

The body of a missing North Queensland teenager has been found by police in remote bushland.

The body of a missing teenage girl in Richmond has been found by police in remote bushland.

Téa Wright-Finger, 19, was last seen in Richmond about six weeks ago after being dropped off by a friend at a blue Toyota Prado 4WD on Coalbrook Rd on Sunday, October 16.

Tea Wright-Finger, 19, disappeared on October 16 after a friend dropped her near a Toyota Prado 4WD in Richmond, North Queensland. Pic TikTok.

Police search crews located the body of a woman, believed to be Tea Wright-Finger, in remote bushland near Richmond about 10.30am on Thursday.

Her body was found about 600 metres away from a blue Toyota Prado 4WD which was spotted from the air by a mustering helicopter on Wednesday morning.

Richmond Shire Council mayor John Wharton said it was a sad outcome.

“From the community’s point of view, this is the last thing we wanted to happen,” Cr Wharton said.

“It is very, very sad.”

The Toyota Prado was stolen from Proserpine on October 14, a short time before Tea was reported missing.

Police said preliminary information suggests the death is non-suspicious and a report will prepared for the coroner.

A police spokesman said they had spoken to Tea’s family, and had extended their deep condolences to her family and loved ones.

“Investigators would like to thank the State Emergency Service (SES), local property owners and the community for their assistance and information provided during the search for Tea,” he said.

Near where missing teen Tea Wright-Finger and an 4WD was found in remote bushland in Richmond. Picture: Daneka Hill

The location of her body brings a tragic end to what has been an extensive six-week search for the missing teenager, which covered a 700km-wide area around Richmond.

The search also crossed over state lines, with inquiries being made in the Northern Territory at a rural station Ms Wright-Finger had previously worked at.

In October, Tea’s mother, Tracey Wright said she held serious concerns for the safety and wellbeing of her daughter, who had been working at Richmond Downs Station when she went missing.

North Queensland police body-camera footage shows police approaching the Toyota Prado 4WD Richmond teen Tea Wright-Finger was believed to have been driving when she disappeared near the Outback town on October 16. Picture: Supplied

“I’d just ask her to contact me so I know she is safe and tell her I love her unconditionally,” she said.

The discovery of Miss Wright-Finger’s body has rattled Richmond’s tight-knit community of about 600.

It comes on the three year anniversary of Richmond’s last missing person — Trent Grose.

Mr Grose, 25, borrowed a car and disappeared in 2019.

His body was later found in remote bushland 17km from the abandoned vehicle, which had a flat battery.

Originally published as Tea Wright-Finger: Tragic end to search for missing Richmond teen