The body of Airlie Montgomery is believed to have been discovered not long after she was reported missing in North Nowra, Australia, on Sunday, March 16

Police are searching for six-year-old Airlie Montgomery who went missing from Nowra in southern NSW.

Airlie Montgomery.Credit : NSW Police

A 6-year-old girl is believed to have been found dead earlier this week about four hours after she went missing in Australia.

Airlie Montgomery was last seen wearing a pink jumpsuit and no shoes around 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 16, near the Grotto Walk in North Nowra, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

“When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to South Coast Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts,” New South Wales police said on Sunday, according to local outelt News.com.au, which reported that Airlie disappeared near her home.

A body “believed to be that of the missing girl” was found in bushland in the North Nowra area about 6 p.m. after a wide-scale search, police said in a subsequent statement.

Police are searching for six-year-old Airlie Montgomery who went missing from Nowra in southern NSW.

Airlie Montgomery.NSW Police

“Inquiries into the incident have commenced. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner,” police said.

Authorities think she died from “misadventure,” the ABC and Sky News Australia reported.

She was discovered in the Shoalhaven River, below the Grotto Walk, a popular trail, according to Sky News.

Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White described the Nowra suburb as a “town in mourning” and said that Airlie’s death was an “absolute tragedy,” according to The Daily Telegraph.

“Words cannot describe how horrible this is,” she told outlet.

view from the Hanging Rock a prominent landmark of Nowra , 46.25 metre above the Shoalhaven river, New South Wales, Australia

Shoalhaven river, New South Wales, Australia.Getty

During the search for Airlie, a photo of her wearing a North Nowra Public School uniform was released.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected,” said a spokesperson for the state’s Department of Education, per News.com.au. “We are providing support to students and staff and will continue to do so for as long as it is needed.”

Aerial view of Nowra, NSW, Australia

Aerial view of Nowra, Australia.Getty

According to the outlet, flowers were left in tribute to Airlie at the entrance of the Grotto Reserve where she was found.

A fundraiser set up on behalf of the family describes the 6-year-old as a “beautiful little girl,” local outlet 7News reported.

“Airlie is going to be so dearly missed by all that knew her. Rest in peace gorgeous girl,” the organizer wrote.