The body of Esther Wallace has been found almost two weeks after the 47-year-old bushwalker disappeared in central west New South Wales, with police believing she died after a “terrible accident.
Police found the body at 4pm on Sunday about 2km from where Wallace was last seen at Federal Falls in the Mount Canobolas state recreation area, near Orange.
The discovery brings to a close a fortnight of intensive searching in the area after Wallace was reporting missing early on 30 November after she became separated from her partner while walking in sandals in rugged bushland about 1am.
Her partner raised concern with police about 8am.
Insp David Maher from the Central West police district said Wallace is believed to have died of hypothermia.
“It’s just a terrible accident, we believe,” Maher said on Monday.
The Orange region experienced weather extremes of below-zero temperatures, rain and dry heat in the days Wallace was missing.
Maher said officers from the criminal investigation unit will continue to make inquiries, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
“At this time, it’s not suspicious,” he said.
Police had confirmed a body, believed to be the Tottenham resident, had been found on Sunday.
Before Wallace’s body was discovered, search parties found several items of clothing, including a white crochet coat and an orange jacket.
On Friday the Lachlan Shire mayor, John Medcalf, said Tottenham was a tight-knit community which was concerned by the disappearance of Wallace, who had recently moved to the area.
“She’s a part of our community,” he said. “The community is definitely thinking of her.”
Police were joined in the search by members of the State Emergency Services, the local council and the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service.
Wallace’s adult son, Tyrone Stewart, last week told local media his mother was not the type to go on a walk to see the sunrise.
“My mum doesn’t go to watch the sunrise, she doesn’t go bushwalking, especially in sandals,” he told the Central Western Daily.
