updated

Airlie Montgomery: NSW Police confirm six-year-old’s body was found in water near family home in Nowra

Matt Shrivell
The Nightly
Authorities desperately searched for Airlie Montgomery, seen around 2:15pm. A child's body was later found in bushland with police yet to formally identify the child.

NSW Police are treating the death of six-year-old Airlie Montgomery as a tragic accident and have no reason to believe she was the victim of a crime.

Video showing Airlie wandering through the streets of North Nowra on Sunday afternoon wearing a pink jumpsuit are the last images of the little girl, before she was reported missing and a frantic search by emergency services began.

Airlie’s body was located at around 6pm during the search in bushland in the southern NSW town, not far from her family home.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting the little girl’s body was discovered in a waterway beneath a grotto in the area and police will likely record her cause of death as misadventure.

Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said the community was devastated by the news.

“This is just an absolute tragedy,” Ms White said.

“Words cannot describe how horrible this is.

“Hold your kids tight, chat to your neighbours to see if they’re okay.

“We are a town in mourning.”

Emergency services were involved in the massive search on Sunday with helicopters flying over the local bush before their worst fears were confirmed and Airlie’s body was found.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 14-04-2025

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 14 April 202514 April 2025

PM channels his inner Howard with ambitions for third term: ‘I’m not getting ahead of myself (but) if I’m successful on the third of May, then yeah.’