NT police investigate suspicious death of woman in remote Alpurrurulam

Northern Territory Police are investigating the suspicious death of a woman in the remote community of Alpurrurulam, also known as Lake Nash, after she was allegedly physically assaulted in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said they received a report from the local clinic around 5:30am that a woman had died after allegedly being physically assaulted. Superintendent Mark Bland confirmed a male is in custody and assisting with police inquiries, while detectives from Crime Command and Forensics are travelling to the community. Local police are responding with assistance from officers at Avon Downs. Police have not released the ages of the woman or the alleged offender, or further details of the incident.

Alpurrurulam sits about 1,500 kilometres from Darwin, roughly 360 kilometres from Mount Isa and less than 20 kilometres from the Queensland border. The community has had no permanent police station since 2018, with the closest officers based 170 kilometres away at Avon Downs, according to the ABC. The community has recently experienced internal unrest, which led to the evacuation of clinic staff, and it is unclear what level of clinic staffing was in place at the time of the assault and death. NT Health has been contacted for comment.

Alpurrurulam is a dry community, but the Barkly Regional Council has reported that large quantities of black market alcohol are being transported across the border from Queensland.

The electorate's NT MP, Chansey Paech, said in a statement he was deeply saddened by reports of a tragic loss of life in Alpurrurulam, describing a community that has been desperately calling out for more help, resources and support in recent months. He said his thoughts were with the family, loved ones and the entire community, accused the NT government of ignoring the bush, and urged action on extra police resourcing and efforts to better combat illegal alcohol supply. The NT government has been contacted for comment.