A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of a teenage girl in the remote community Galiwin’ku, with police alleging the 17-year-old girl died of blunt force injuries.
It comes after authorities were called to a home in the community on Elcho Island on Monday morning, where officers found the girl unconscious.
“Local police, assisted by staff from the local health clinic, attended the scene, where she was declared deceased,” an NT Police Force spokesperson said in a statement released this afternoon.
Police charged the man on Thursday, a day after the autopsy was completed. (ABC News: Joseph Hathaway-Wilson)
The 34-year-old man was arrested on Monday, with detectives investigating through the week until charging him with murder on Thursday afternoon.
“An autopsy was completed yesterday, and police have now charged the man with one count of murder,” the police statement said.
“Investigations indicate the man was in a domestic relationship with the deceased at the time of her death.”
Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Lawson described the case as “complex” and said police investigations indicated the 17-year-old girl “has died of blunt forced injuries”.
“A young woman has lost her life, and our thoughts are with her family and community,” he said.
“Our local members remain in the community and are working closely with those affected.”
The 34-year-old man is expected to appear before the Darwin Local Court on Friday.
Police will prepare a report on the girl’s death for the coroner.