A 47-year-old man has been charged with murder over the death of a five-year-old girl in Alice Springs.
Northern Territory Police confirmed on Sunday morning that Jefferson Lewis – who was arrested on Thursday night – has now been formally charged with murder following his police interview on Saturday.
Police Commissioner Martin Dole revealed Lewis was formally charged with one count of murder on Saturday night.
“Following the arrest of Jefferson Lewis on Thursday night, Northern Territory police detectives have continued to work around the clock,” he said.
“This remains a deeply distressing matter and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi’s family, loved ones and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events.”
Commissioner Dole thanked his officers for their tireless work.
“This outcome follows an extensive and complex investigation by the Northern Territory police and I just want to thank all of the members involved for their professionalism and dedication in reaching this outcome,” he said.
“This matter is now before the courts and, as a result, it would be inappropriate for the police to provide further comment or discuss in detail the events.
“I would ask that the community respect the judicial process, and I would also ask that the community continue to respect the family as they continue to process their deep grief and sorrow.”
Lewis was arrested on Thursday night, hours after the discovery of a child’s body about 5km from where the girl disappeared near Alice Springs on April 25.
The fugitive had been beaten unconscious by locals and was taken to Alice Springs Hospital, where a riot erupted as angry residents demanded he face “traditional payback”.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Lewis was flown to Darwin by the NT Police air wing for his own safety and that of hospital staff.
He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.
The Territory’s top cop said the investigation into this matter will continue.
“This has been extensive and detailed investigation,” he said.
“As I said, our detectives have been working around the clock to come up with this outcome.
“Mr Lewis is before the court and our job doesn’t stop now.”
The arrest followed a massive bushland search for the missing girl and her alleged abductor over a period of five days.
The alleged victim, now being referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby at her family’s request, vanished from Old Timers camp sometime after 11pm on Anzac Day.
The little girl’s body was found in bushland on Thursday, prompting an outpouring of grief and anger in the community.
Lewis had been out of prison for only six days before she went missing.
Commissioner Dole said Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family were “deeply distressed”.
“It’s deeply distressing, not only for the family, but for the wider community,” he said.
“This is a horrific event and a horrific set of circumstances, and our thoughts remain strongly with the family, also with the community, as everyone processes the impact of these horrific events.”
The Commissioner also used the press conference to strongly condemn the “absolute anarchy” that erupted in Alice Springs following Lewis’s arrest, warning footage of the violent unrest would be released publicly so police can track down those involved.
“What you will see in this footage is not people processing grief in relation to the death of baby Kumanjayi,” he said.
“What you will see is not people trying to practise traditional law. What you will see is criminal behaviour, plain and simple.
“It’s abhorrent, it’s disgusting, and it will not be tolerated or accepted by the Northern Territory Police, and it should not be accepted by the community.”
Five people have so far been arrested in relation to the riotous behaviour that occurred in Alice Springs on Thursday night.
A service station and a supermarket in The Gap were trashed during aggravated burglaries which police say caused “sustained significant damages and property loss” estimated at a total of $105,000 stolen and $80,000 in damages.
Following a review into CCTV and media outlet footage, five people aged 18, 26, 34, 46 and 49 have all been arrested and remain in custody with charges expected to follow.
Further offenders have been identified, and multiple arrests are expected to be made in coming days.
Commissioner Dole urged anyone who recognised those involved – or who took part – to come forward.
“If you recognise people involved when you watch this footage, or if you were involved, I would encourage you to contact the Northern Territory Police or come and hand yourself in before we come for you,” he said.
“This behaviour is criminal behaviour.
“The purpose of releasing (the footage) is to identify those offenders so every single person involved in that can be held to account.”
Detective Superintendent Alderman said the behaviour was “absolutely atrocious” and “criminalistic”.
“It’s outright looting. The businesses involved have suffered extensive monetary loss, stock loss, and investigators are currently still reviewing hundreds of hours of footage,” he said.
“We’ve identified a number of people from that footage, either because they are known to the investigators and detectives reviewing the matter or other members of the community have offered police information.
“Today, we’ve had two people hand themselves in. Yesterday, there were five arrests in relation to the behaviour and this morning, just before I walked out, there’s currently six extra people who have been arrested today and (are) in the watch house awaiting charging.”
The principal charges they face are aggravated burglary and stealing.
Det-Supt Alderman said the damage was still being calculated.
“Most of the damage in relation to the property is still being assessed, especially where there’s structural damage, so those quotes are still coming in,” he said.
“Even from the point of view of stock, we’re looking at over $200,000 worth, and you can see from the footage how opportunistic it is.”
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