Man 'in domestic relationship' with 17-year-old charged with her murder
Updated . First published
A man charged with the murder of a 17-year-old girl in the Northern Territory was in a domestic relationship with the teenager at the time of her death, police believe.
Northern Territory Police confirmed a 34-year-old man had been charged with murder after the body of a girl was found in a remote home on Monday.
Galiwin'ku, a remote Indigenous community on Elcho Island. East Arnhem Community Maps
Police were called to the home in Galiwinku on Elcho Island, located in Arnhem Land on the northern coast of Australia.
Inside the home they found the 17-year-old unconscious.
Police and staff from the local health clinic were at the home, but she was declared dead.
Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Lawson said police had a suspected cause of death after initial investigations.
“This has been a complex investigation, and our investigations indicate the deceased has died of blunt forced injuries,” he said in a statement.
“A young woman has lost her life, and our thoughts are with her family and community. Our local members remain in the community and are working closely with those affected.”
The 34-year-old man was arrested, with police saying initial investigations indicated the man and the girl were in a domestic relationship.
He was charged with one count of murder on Thursday.
The man was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before Darwin Local Court on Friday.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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