Authorities have indicated that her death is not considered suspicious and is believed to be accidental.

Concerns for Airlie's welfare were heightened due to her young age and existing medical conditions, leading to an urgent police appeal for assistance.

Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White expressed the community's grief, describing the incident as an 'absolute tragedy' and emphasizing the importance of community support.

The family visited her school to collect her belongings after the tragic news, with her father leaving with a bunch of small pink flowers in her memory.

A body believed to be that of six-year-old Airlie Montgomery has been discovered in a waterway during the search efforts in North Nowra, New South Wales.

Airlie was last seen wearing a hot pink jumpsuit and no shoes around 2:15 PM on March 16, 2025, prompting immediate concern from her family.

The NSW Department of Education is providing support to affected students and staff at Airlie's school, recognizing the impact of her loss.

Cathy, a neighbor and the last person to see Airlie alive, reported that Airlie had been crying before she wandered off.

Following her disappearance, police initiated a wide-scale search and investigation in the South Coast police district.

Her body was found approximately four hours later in a waterway beneath The Grotto, a bushwalking area.

Local residents, including volunteers who participated in the search, expressed deep sadness over her passing and offered prayers for her.

A fundraiser has been initiated in Airlie's memory, with tributes highlighting her as a 'beautiful little girl' who will be dearly missed.