There’s fears a missing Mandurah mother never made it to Bluff Knoll, where a massive search party has been working for the past three days. 7NEWS revealed no one actually saw missing woman Lorjie Bautista at Bluff Knoll on Tuesday morning and she did not sign the visitor register. Staff at the nearby Stirling Ranges Retreat say they heard the 38-year-old leave for her hike around 4am on Tuesday. Camera Icon The scene near Bluff Knoll on Friday morning. Credit: Jessica Cuthbert Ms Bautista’s car was later found parked at the base of the hiking trail. “We’re not ruling anything out or in at this time,” Great Southern Police District Office Senior Inspector Alex Ryan said. “At this point in time, our effort is directed to the search here and that’s our primary focus.” Ms Bautista’s husband and their 15-year-old daughter arrived at the Bluff Knoll search site today to join the search, saying they are “praying for her safety” in the near freezing overnight conditions. The mercury dropped to just 0.2C at 6.30am at Stirling South weather station — about 10km from Bluff Knoll and near ground level. Camera Icon A sniffer dog has been called in to help with the search. Credit: 7NEWS “It's very sad - me and my daughter, we're so dying to see her and hope they'll find her today,” husband Anand Bautista said. “I have a feeling she's still alive.” Police confirmed the helicopter will remain searching the Bluff Knoll area during the night, using infra red technology. Rescources including a drone, a tracker dog and private helicopter have all been brought in to try and find Ms Bautista, who was reported missing on Thursday. “We’ve got some defined search areas that we’re working through,” Insp. Ryan said. “Those areas encompass the entire top of the mountain and down. Camera Icon The scene at Bluff Knoll. Credit: WA Police “The terrain is difficult as I’ve said and that is having some bearing on how far we can actually physically search on foot. “Overnight temperatures are pretty low so we’re concerned about that in relation to her welfare. “But the terrain is particularly difficult. It’s precipitous and very hard to search.” “We’ll keep going. She’s a 38-year-old woman. She’s in good health, she’s got reasonable clothing on. We’ll continue to search.” Ms Bautista’s older sister, Dylin Bueno, contacted the Albany Advertiser this week from her home in the Philippines. She said her sister, originally from the Philippines, was an Australian citizen with a 14-year-old daughter. “We’re so worried about her,” Ms Bueno said. “She is my youngest sister. Our family is praying for her safety. “I live in (the) Philippines. Lorjie and her family live in Australia — that’s why we can’t do anything to find her. “We’re waiting for the decision of our parents if one of us will come there. “Please don't stop searching for we are crying and praying for her.” Ms Bautista was wearing a grey jumper, black jacket, blue jeans and red/black runners. She is described as olive skinned and about 157cm tall with a slim build and black hair. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact police on 131 444.<doc-sep>Police fear a woman missing in the Great Southern may have spent a third night without shelter as freezing temperatures grip the region. A search will resume on Friday for Lorjie Tonguia Bautista, who was last seen near Bluff Knoll on Tuesday. She is described as olive skinned and about 157cm tall with a slim build and black hair. A Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said temperatures near Bluff Knoll reached 0C. Police said Ms Bautista’s car, a Subaru hatchback was found at Bluff Knoll car park. Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call 131 444.<doc-sep>A body believed to be that of missing WA woman Lorjie Bautista has been found. Search teams in the Bluff Knoll area tonight found the body near the foot of a steep bushy incline, well away from public walking trails. The identity of the body has yet to be confirmed, however, it is believed to be that of 39-year-old Lorjie Bautista, a Mandurah woman who went missing more than a week ago. Ms Bautista was last seen near Bluff Knoll, believed to be on her way towards the the notoriously challenging hike known as the Stirling Ridge Walk. The Ridge Walk connects a series of peaks from Ellen Peak in the east to Bluff Knoll in the west. Trails are unmarked and it can take several days to complete. Australian mountaineer Patrick Hollingworth, who has reached the summit of Mt Everest, has used it as a final training hit-out before tackling the Himalayas. Since her disappearance on May 7, the mother could have spent seven nights without shelter and exposed to the elements. This morning police confirmed a video found by officers on social media confirmed Ms Bautista had been at Bluff Knoll last Tuesday morning. “The video is believed to have been taken by Lorjie Bautista on the morning of the 7th of May," Great Southern police acting superintendent Alex Ryan said. “We believe it was taken just below the north face of Bluff Knoll, at the base of the northern side, looking down towards the car park.” In the past five days, dozens of police officers, SES volunteers and Parks and Wildlife officers have been bolstered in their search efforts by helicopters, a drone and a tracker dog while a WA Police Tactical Response Group vertical rope team today joined State Emergency Service rope specialists in the search. The family of Ms Bautista, who turned 39 on Sunday, told police she was a fit woman who had wanted to climb Bluff Knoll. Police say Mrs Bautista’s husband, Anand, contacted Stirling Ranges Retreat on Thursday concerned about her whereabouts, but she had already checked out at 4am. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the WA Police Force advise that the Bluff Knoll Road, carpark and walking trail will remain closed until further notice.<doc-sep>A search for a 39-year-old woman missing on Bluff Knoll in Western Australia's Stirling Ranges for a week has ended with the discovery of a body on Tuesday. Key points: Lorjie Bautista went to Bluff Knoll before first light last Tuesday but didn't return Lorjie Bautista went to Bluff Knoll before first light last Tuesday but didn't return Dozens of emergency workers scoured dense bushland during the week-long search Dozens of emergency workers scoured dense bushland during the week-long search Ms Bautista's body was found near the foot of a steep incline, away from public trails The body was located near the foot of a steep incline in a dense bush area, well away from public access trails, police said. It is believed to be that of Mandurah mother Lorjie Bautista, who went to Bluff Knoll before first light last Tuesday, but failed to return. Family members alerted police and a search for her began on Thursday. It is believed Lorjie Bautista went to Bluff Knoll before dawn last Tuesday. ( Supplied: WA Police Since then up to 60 emergency workers and volunteers had been scouring dense bushland around Bluff Knoll. Acting Great Southern Superintendent Alex Ryan said Ms Bautista's body would be removed from the mountain today. "Yesterday afternoon we had a helicopter up with police on board, and they were searching a particular search sector near the northern face of Bluff Knoll," he said. "They've observed a body on the side of the mountain and we believe that body is Lorjie Bautista. "We weren't in a position to take her off the mountain at that time due to the failing light and the difficulty of the terrain. "So this morning we have … our helicopter and a number of personnel looking to extract her off the side of the mountain." Bluff Knoll is a popular hiking spot in WA's Stirling Ranges. ( ABC News: Kit Mochan Support offered to grieving family Acting Superintendent Ryan said police would be supporting Ms Bautista's family. "Clearly we're a bit saddened by what we've discovered," he said. "We were very optimistic, we maintained that optimism throughout. "But the best thing we can do now is get Lorjie off the mountain and allow her family to grieve. "They were advised yesterday afternoon and at this stage they may be coming across to Albany, and we'll be supporting them as best we can." Acting Superintendent Alex Ryan said police were offering support to the family. ( ABC News: Kit Mochan Acting Superintendent Ryan said there was still little information about what caused Ms Bautista's death. "The only thing I can say is that Lorjie wasn't in an area that was frequented by normal visitors," he said. "She was well away from the well-trodden path that takes visitors to the summit of Bluff Knoll." "And once again we would just advise people to stick to the main tracks, be very mindful of their safety as they move in and out of that park. "It's a relatively safe walk if you're well prepared and we would just say stay on the well-defined path." The search team included specialist crews that abseiled down rock faces, while helicopters and drone operators carried out aerial searches. A tracker dog was also brought in. Police raised serious concerns for Ms Bautista's welfare, particularly as near-freezing temperatures had been recorded in the area at night. The Bluff Knoll walking trail, along with the Bluff Knoll Road and carpark, were all closed to the public during the search. They will now remain closed until further notice.<doc-sep>
The search for a 38-year-old mother missing for four nights in a West Australian national park continues into its third day. Concerns continue to grow for the welfare of Lorjie Bautista who was last seen near Bluff Knoll at Stirling Range National Park, north of Albany, on Tuesday at 4am. WA Police say Ms Bautista, from Perth, failed to return from a hike at the popular spot near dense bushland before the alarm was raised by staff of the holiday park where she was staying. Concerns continue to grow for the welfare of Lorjie Bautista who was last seen near Bluff Knoll at Stirling Range National Park on Tuesday. Source: Western Australia Police At the time she was wearing a grey jumper, black jacket, blue jeans, and red and black running shoes – clothing which has concerned authorities due to plummeting night-time temperatures. Temperatures dropped to 2.9C early on Saturday morning in the area, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Police and SES volunteers were deployed at first light on Saturday while Police Air Wing remain in the area and are conducting an air search. They have been searching for the mum since Thursday. Search teams gather at Bluff Knoll. Source: Western Australia Police Concerns for the 38-year-old's welfare continue to grow due to the low night-time temperatures in the park. Source: WA Police The mother has been described as olive-skinned, about 157cm tall with a slim build and black hair. Bluff Knoll Road, the carpark and walking trail will remain closed while the search continues. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact police on 131 444. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, download the Yahoo News app from iTunes or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.