A 51-year-old woman has been found dead in a riverbed in the NT town of Alice Springs.
The woman’s 49-year-old partner had been arrested and remains in custody, Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said.
The man had contacted police at 12.20am on Monday and advised that the woman was unresponsive near the Todd River.
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Police arrived 11 minutes later and attempted CPR, but the woman was declared dead a short time later.
“We are treating the assault as a homicide and the crime scene is still open,” Malley said.
“(It’s alleged) a weapon has been used, it wasn’t an edged weapon but it was a weapon.”
It was the first domestic violence homicide in the NT this year and the start to the year had been “horrible”, Malley said.
“It’s not what we wanted or expected, we are doing a lot of work out there in the community (related to domestic violence).
“The prisons are full and overflowing, and I expect that will have a follow-on to the safety of the community, which is our focus.”
Detectives are urging anyone with information to contact police or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers.
Eight Aboriginal women died as a result of domestic violence in the NT between June and November 2024.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are eight times more likely to die by homicide.
- with AAP
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
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