Warning: This article contains images of and references to Indigenous Australians who have died, as well as content which some readers may find distressing.
Northern Territory Police have charged Jefferson Lewis with the murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
On Thursday, the body of the missing five-year-old girl — now referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby at her family's request in line with cultural traditions — was found following a massive search involving hundreds of volunteers.
She had been missing since April 25 after she was allegedly abducted from her home in the Aboriginal town camp of Old Timers, on the outskirts of Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
On Saturday night, Jefferson Lewis, 47, was charged with the murder of the Warlpiri child, along with two other charges that cannot be reported for legal reasons
He has been remanded in custody and will appear in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.
The charges follow the completion of an autopsy report as well as the analysis of DNA evidence found on the child's clothing.
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After a five-day manhunt, Mr Lewis was found and reportedly beaten unconscious by community members on Thursday evening after he was seen wandering outside the Charles Creek town camp.
He was arrested and taken to Alice Springs Hospital, where large-scale protests took place outside, before being flown to Darwin on Friday morning.
At a press conference on Sunday morning, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed the family had been informed before the charges were made public.
He told reporters detectives had been working "around the clock" since Mr Lewis was arrested, conducting an "extensive and detailed investigation" into what he described as a "horrific set of circumstances".
"This remains a deeply distressing matter, and our thoughts are firmly with Kumanjayi's family, loved ones and the wider community that have been deeply impacted by these events," Commissioner Dole said.
NT Police "formally interviewed Mr Lewis" yesterday, he confirmed, adding the investigation into whether anyone helped him while he was on the run remains ongoing.
He said police were unlikely to comment further on specific details of the investigation.
"This matter is now before the courts, and as a result, it would be inappropriate for the police to provide further comment, or discuss in detail the events," Commissioner Dole said.
"I would ask that the community respect the judicial process, and I would also ask that the community continue to respect the family, as they continue to process their grief and sorrow."
Robin Granites, a senior Yapa (Warlpiri) Elder and spokesperson for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, has appealed for calm after her death. He said the time was now for sorry business and to "show respect for our family and have space for grieving and remembering".
"Everyone is feeling very upset and emotions are very high, I understand that," he said in a statement on Friday. "What has happened this week is not our way. Our children are precious, of course we are feeling angry and hurt at what has happened.
"This man has been caught, thanks to community action, and we must now let justice take its course while we take the time to mourn Kumanjayi Little Baby and support our family."
Granites also asked people from bush communities to carefully consider their need to travel to Mparntwe/Alice Springs at this time. He said now is not the time to be "heroes on social media or make trouble".
"If you need to come to join sorry business, that's fine. But just come for that, then return home please," he said.
"We must be mindful Mparntwe is traditional country for Central Arrernte, and East and Western Arrernte as well. We must respect that and their ways. We need to be strong for each other, we must respect family and cultural practice. This is the Yapa way."
Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Mensline on 1300 789 978
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Ruby Gaea (NT): 08 8945 0155
