Northern Territory records three deaths in custody within a week
Consensus Summary
The Northern Territory has experienced three deaths in custody within a week, with two occurring in Darwin and one in Katherine. On Saturday/Sunday, a 26-year-old man died at Darwin Correctional Centre after being found unresponsive in his cell; police confirmed the death was not suspicious but declined to provide further details. Separately, a 25-year-old Indigenous man died in police custody on Tuesday after suffering breathing difficulties in the rear cage of a police vehicle during transport from Tiwi Gardens Retirement Village. Both cases are under coronial investigation. In Katherine, a 19-year-old man died from stab wounds after police found him in a vehicle; his death is classified as in-custody due to prior police involvement, marking the third such incident. An 18-year-old victim with stab wounds was airlifted to Darwin, while the 19-year-old driver remains in custody. Sources agree on key details like ages, locations, and the coronial process but vary on specifics such as timing, exact locations, and investigative roles.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A 26-year-old man died at Darwin Correctional Centre on Saturday/Sunday morning (7:50am) after being found unresponsive in his cell; medical assistance was provided but he was declared deceased at the scene.
- The death of the 26-year-old man is not believed to be suspicious according to NT police statements from ABC and The Guardian.
- A 25-year-old Indigenous man died in police custody in Darwinâs northern suburbs on Tuesday evening after being arrested and placed in the rear cage of a police vehicle, where he experienced breathing difficulties; police began CPR and an ambulance was called but he died later at Royal Darwin Hospital (10:10pm).
- Both deaths in custody (26-year-old at correctional centre and 25-year-old in police vehicle) are being investigated by the NT coroner and will undergo a coronial inquest.
- A 19-year-old man died from a serious stab wound in Katherine on Sunday evening after police found him in a vehicle; he was pronounced dead at Katherineâs temporary field hospital after first aid was administered by officers.
- The 19-year-oldâs death is being treated as a death in custody due to his brief care by police before his death, making it the NTâs third such death in less than a week.
- A second victim, an 18-year-old man with stab wounds, was found near the field hospital in Katherine and airlifted to Darwin in a serious but stable condition.
- The driver of the vehicle, a 19-year-old man, was arrested and remains in custody in relation to the stabbing incident in Katherine.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The 26-year-old manâs next of kin was notified by NT police, though no details about the cause of death were provided.
- The 25-year-old Indigenous man was arrested at Tiwi Gardens Retirement Village after reports of an assault; police called an ambulance but it could not arrive immediately, delaying CPR initiation.
- The 19-year-old victim in Katherine was pronounced dead âsoon afterâ arrival at the field hospital, with officers performing first aid in the back of a police car before transport.
- The 19-year-old driver arrested in Katherine remains in custody, and multiple crime scenes were established in the town.
- The 26-year-old manâs death was reported as occurring on Saturday, with no mention of the exact time (7:50am) or the specific location (Holtze) in Darwin Correctional Centre.
- The NT major crime unit and Professional Standards Command are investigating the 25-year-oldâs death, with police acting on behalf of the coroner.
- A crime scene was established at the police vehicle where the 25-year-old died, as well as the location of arrest.
- The 19-year-old victim in Katherine was allegedly attacked on the street, with police initially unable to locate him before finding him in a car with âseriousâ stab wounds.
- The two victims in Katherine were believed to have known one another, though this detail was not mentioned in ABCâs coverage.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the 26-year-old man died at Darwin Correctional Centre in Holtze on Sunday morning (7:50am), while The Guardian reports the death occurred on Saturday without specifying the time or location.
- ABC mentions the 25-year-old Indigenous man was arrested at Tiwi Gardens Retirement Village, but The Guardian does not specify the exact location of arrest beyond Darwinâs northern suburbs.
- The Guardian notes the NT major crime unit and Professional Standards Command are investigating the 25-year-oldâs death, while ABC does not mention the major crime unitâs involvement.
- ABC describes the 19-year-old victim in Katherine as being pronounced dead âsoon afterâ arrival at the field hospital, while News.com.au states he died following an alleged street attack before police found him in a car.
- The Guardian does not mention the establishment of multiple crime scenes in Katherine, which ABC and News.com.au both report.
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