‘Complex’: man charged with 17-year-old girl’s murder

A man who allegedly had a “domestic relationship” with a girl has been charged with her murder, days after the 17-year-old was found unconscious in a remote island community.

The 34-year-old man will appear in court after the investigation showed the teenager died from “blunt force injuries”, Northern Territory Police said on Thursday.

“Investigations indicate the man was in a domestic relationship with the deceased at the time of his death,” NT Police said in a statement. he said.

Authorities were called to a home on Galiwinku, on an island off the coast of Arnhem Land, around 11am on Monday after receiving reports that a 17-year-old girl was unconscious.

“Local police, with the assistance of local health clinic staff, attended the scene where the woman was pronounced dead,” police said.

The 34-year-old man was arrested the same day police launched an investigation at the Elcho Island residence.

Three days later, police charged the man with murder after an autopsy was completed.

Detective Acting Inspector Paul Lawson described the investigation as “complex”.

“Our investigations indicate that the deceased died from blunt force injuries,” the statement said.

“A young woman has lost her life; our thoughts are with her family and the community.”

He said a file would be prepared for the coroner.

Asked about the pair’s relationship, Det Lawson told media in Darwin on Thursday: “The full circumstances surrounding their relationship and what happened prior to the incident will form part of our briefing to the coroner and also our criminal briefing.

“There was no autopsy until yesterday and that gave us all the information we needed.”

Local officers remain in the community and work closely with those affected by the tragedy, he said.

“Police would like to thank the community for their assistance during this period.”

The 34-year-old man has been detained and is expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on Friday.