Jefferson Lewis found and arrested over alleged murder of Alice Springs girl Kumanjayi Little Baby
The man accused of murdering the five-year-old girl Kumanjayi Little Baby has been found and arrested.
Northern Territory Police confirmed Jefferson Lewis was arrested at a home in Alice Springs on Thursday night.
“Recently, the Northern Territory Police Force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs,” police said in a statement.
“More information will be available early in the morning.”
The 47-year-old man was the subject of a manhunt in Central Australia after Little Baby Kumanjaya was reported missing from Old Timers Camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police claimed that Lewis, who was staying at the town camp, took the little girl.
His arrest came on the same day that the body believed to be that of the missing five-year-old boy was found just 5km south of the scene at the Old Timers camp.
Earlier, the little girl’s mother, who wanted her daughter to be remembered as “Kumanjayi Little Baby”, shared a heartbreaking letter from her and her son.
“Me and Ramsiah miss and love you,” he said.
“I know you are in heaven with the rest of your family, Jesus, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. My brother and I will meet you one day.
“It will be very difficult to live the rest of our lives without you.
“Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven he will give you the biggest hug ever. Love from mom and Ramsiah.”
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed the devastating development on Thursday afternoon, describing it as the “worst possible outcome”.
“Just before noon today, police members of the search team located the body of a young Aboriginal girl,” he said.
“This is an extremely regrettable development.”
Police said they could not yet confirm the cause of death or how long ago the child died. The autopsy is expected to be performed early Friday.
“This will be a critical step in establishing the facts,” Mr. Dole said.
“The criminal investigation is ongoing and the judicial process will now begin. This is devastating news not only for the immediate and extended family, but also for first responders, the Alice Springs community and everyone across Australia who is worried about this little girl.”
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley, who is leading the investigation, said forensic tests linked key evidence from a nearby crime scene to the suspect.
“The pair of child’s underwear is important,” he said.
“We found two DNA profiles on the underwear. One is expected to belong to the little girl (Kumanjayi Little Baby) and the other belongs to Jefferson Lewis.”
Before Lewis was found, Mr. Malley had sent a message to anyone who helped him escape from the authorities.
“That’s why I’m telling Jefferson Lewis’ family that we believe he killed this child,” he said. “Don’t help him. Take him to the police station, we’ll take care of him,” he said.
“And I say to Jefferson Lewis, we are coming for you.”
Lewis was released from prison six days before Little Baby Kumanjayi disappeared.
