'Grieving and remembering': Family's message after five-year-old murdered

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.

The family of Kumanjayi Little Baby has called for calm across Alice Springs to allow them to grieve and conduct sorry business.

A man suspected of the five-year-old's murder was transferred from an Alice Springs prison to Darwin after community unrest led to riots and confrontation with police overnight.

This morning, Yapa elder and the girl's grandfather Robin Granites said he understood emotions were very high but called for the community to allow justice to take its course.

READ MORE: Man arrested over girl's death was beaten unconscious before arrest

"It is time now for sorry business, to show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering," he said in a statement.

"What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.

"This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family."

Granites also asked bush communities to consider their need to travel to the region, saying now was not the time to "be heroes on social media or make trouble".

"If you need to come to join sorry business, that's fine. But just come for that, then return home please," he said.

"We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way."

READ MORE: Jacinta Price reveals she's aunt of NT girl believed to have been abducted

The mother and brother of the five-year-old have been left devastated by her death after Northern Territory Police revealed they had found her body yesterday.

She is now being referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby in line with local Indigenous customs.

"To Kumanjayi Little Baby, me and [your brother] Ramsiah miss and love you," the statement said.

"I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus, and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

"Me and your brother will meet you one day, we are giving our lives to Jesus.

"It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.

"Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.

"Love from Mum and Ramsiah."

READ MORE: Police search unit owned by partner of ex-premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Kumanjayi Little Baby had vanished over the weekend, believed to have been taken by a man police identified as Jefferson Lewis.

Lewis presented himself to a local community late last night, where he was beaten unconscious and then handed over to the police.

His presence at Alice Springs hospital prompted a riot by protesters, who demanded that he be handed over to the community for justice.

READ MORE: Man charged after paramedic stabbed while stopping for coffee

Yesterday, Granites showed 9News where his granddaughter had been sleeping. She had been staying there the night with her mother.

"It really hurts me saying it but she was just a little queen for us, she was a little daughter, she was just a little lady," he said.

The five-year-old's aunt, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said in a statement tonight the discovery was "devastating".

"As part of her extended family, this loss is deeply felt," she said.

"This is the worst possible outcome, and no child should ever be placed in harm's way.

"Police have made it clear this is a serious criminal investigation and they will pursue those responsible.

"Right now, the focus must be on supporting her family and allowing police to do their work."

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here