Northern Territory Police have confirmed that the man alleged to have murdered a five-year-old Alice Springs girl has been arrested.
Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story includes the image of an Indigenous person who has died.
This article also contains content some readers may find distressing.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been the subject of a police manhunt, and is accused of murdering Kumanjayi Little Baby.
“A short time ago, the Northern Territory Police Force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs,” police said in a statement.
“Further information will be provided early in the morning.”
A large crowd of people gathered outside the Alice Springs Hospital after police arrested Jefferson Lewis. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Violent scenes outside hospital
Following Mr Lewis’s arrest there have been violent scenes outside Alice Springs Hospital, where it is believed he was taken.
A police vehicle was set alight and police were pelted with rocks after hundreds gathered at the hospital.
Police with riot shields have used tear gas and rubber bullets on the crowd in an attempt to disperse those involved.
A large crowd of people gathered outside the Alice Springs Hospital after police arrested Jefferson Lewis. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
The girl, who the family has asked be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby, went missing late on Saturday night from a home in the Old Timers/Ilyperenye Aboriginal town camp on the outskirts of the outback town.
Her body was found just before midday on Thursday.
On Thursday afternoon, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole delivered the news of the “tragic update” at a press conference, calling it “an incredibly distressing development”.
Assistant Commissioner Malley said at this stage of the investigation police were unable to provide answers around the cause of the little girl’s death or how long she may have been deceased.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted on Friday.
Alice Springs community ‘devastated’
A shrine for Kumanjayi Little Baby, outside Old Timers camp in Alice Springs. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Commissioner Dole said the girl’s death was “devastating news, not only for [her] family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for [her]”.
“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst possible outcome,” he said.
“It is very important that [the] Alice Springs community continues to support one another and it’s equally important that police be allowed to do their job.”
Earlier on Monday, police said the foot search for the missing girl had covered six square kilometres, with people from local businesses, Aboriginal corporations and community volunteers all pitching in.
Loading