Update: Girl Freed From 'Collar Bomb' in Australia -- Identity Revealed

Australian news outlets are reporting that an 18-year-old girl -- identified as Madeleine Pulver-- who was strapped to a reported "collar bomb" during a home invasion in the country's north shore area has been freed of the device.

The managing director of Australia's ABC News, Mark Scott, tweeted the following message just after 10 am ET:

The ordeal lasted about 10 hours and police are still trying to find who is responsible.

New South Wales state Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch held a press conference after the girl was freed. Scott recaps what he said:

The Herald Sun has a purported picture of the Pulver's residence where the incident occurred:

Australia's Daily Telegraph reports the name of the young girl is Madeleine Pulver:

POLICE have finally freed the Mosman teen trapped in a collar bomb.

Shortly after midnight, Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch told reporters that the 18-year-old woman had been released from the "very elaborate, very sophisticated device".

"The important thing, ladies and gentlemen, is the young lady is safe," Mr Murdoch said.

That it had taken 10 hours for bomb technicians to "come to grips" with the device was an indication of how elaborate it was.

Police sought the advice of Australian Federal Police and the British military before freeing the woman, Madeleine Pulver.

The Sydney Morning Herald gives some background on the girl -- who is still in high school -- and her family:

Ms Pulver is the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Bill Pulver, who was believed to be the target of the apparent extortion bid. Police said the teenager had had no direct contact with her parents since the ordeal began, but there were unconfirmed reports her father had entered the home.

The Daily Mail adds, "Her father, William, is the CEO of an internet share dealing company, called Nielsen Net Ratings and is said to be one of the wealthiest men in Australia."

The Herald reports on what went on inside the house when the attacker broke in:

The Daily Telegraph understands the extortionist, clad in a balaclava, entered the house shortly after 2pm and took Madeleine hostage.

It is believed he ordered her to a room towards the front of the house and directed her to sit down while he strapped a device around her neck.

While he was rigging up the explosive, the man ordered a terrified Madeleine to be limited in what she told police, or else he would remotely detonate the bomb.

It is understood the girl was told she could ring police to alert them to her predicament, but she must not give too much detail about him or their conversation. The man told Madeleine he would be able to hear her and what she told police, indicating he had planted listening devices within the house. With the bomb secured, he then left.

It adds that friends sent her messages via Facebook throughout the ordeal:

Ms Pulver's Facebook page was flooded with messages from friends, and a Wenona [high school] function was called off last night after news of the ordeal for one of their HSC students filtered through.

''Maddie, thinking of you,'' said one message. ''Should never happen to someone as good as you.'' Another added: ''Absolutely horrible. I hope you are OK .'' And still another: ''You're so brave. It will be okay.''

This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.