WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died.
The body of a five-year-old Aboriginal girl who was taken from her home on Saturday evening has been found.
Police confirmed a body was found just after midday by members of the search party, believed to be that of the five-year-old, who the family has asked be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.
"The body was found about five kilometres south of the crime scene at Old Timers camp," Police Commissioner Martin Dole said.
"This is an incredibly distressing development.
"[Kumanjayi's] family have been formally notified and our thoughts are firmly with them at this devastating time."
Commissioner Dole said NT Police were "not in a position today to provide answers around the cause of [Kumanjayi's] death or how long she may have been deceased".
Speaking to the media, he said her death was "devastating news, not only for [Kumanjayi's] family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for [Kumanjayi]".
"The support shown during this time has been overwhelming, and this is the worst possible outcome.
"It is very important that Alice Springs community continues to support one another and it's equally important that police be allowed to do their job."
Family statement
Leanne Liddle, the NT Police's Executive Director of Cultural Reform, delivered a statement on behalf of Kumanjayi Little Baby's family.
"To Kumanjayi Little Baby,
"Me and your brother miss and love you.
"I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus, and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Me and Ramsiah will meet you one day, we are giving our lives to Jesus.
"It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you. Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.
"Love from Mum and Ramsiah."
Ms Liddle said the family also wanted her to "thank all the volunteers who have helped in the search ... everyone who has come from interstate, police resources, land councils, and everyone else who has turned up every day to look for Kumanjayi Little Baby".
"She wants me to pass on her thanks, and thanks for everything that everybody has done to find her little girl," Ms Liddle said.
Jefferson Lewis 'we're coming for you'
Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said the "sole job in this investigation" was to locate Jefferey Lewis.
Of the children's underwear found at the crime scene, Commissioner Dole said forensic evidence had come back with two sets of DNA.
"One is expected to belong to the little girl [Kumanjayi] and the other belongs to Jefferson Lewis," he said.
In a message to his family, he added: "I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he's murdered this child," Assistant Commissioner Malley said.
"Do not assist him, get him to the police station and we'll look after him. And I say to Jefferson Lewis we're coming for you"
Timeline of events
Police believe the young girl was likely kidnapped by 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis, who had been released from prison just six days earlier, from a home in the Aboriginal town camp of Old Timers, on the outskirts of Mparntwe/Alice Springs, on Saturday night.
Between 2016 and 2025, he was sentenced to 64 months in prison for offences including aggravated assault, breaching domestic violence orders, bail offences and resisting police.
Mr Lewis was seen holding Kumanjayi's hand at 11 pm, before she was put to bed. She was reported missing at 1.30 am Sunday morning.
Scores of police officers, Aboriginal trackers, defence force members and volunteers had combed tough desert terrain for the young girl. On Wednesday, police said search teams had covered around five square kilometres on foot.
Mr Lewis is known to have links to several remote outback communities in the NT and WA. WA Police were deployed to the remote Kimberly community of Balgo, where he is reported to have family, but found no sign of him.
Having been released from prison, Mr Lewis was told to go to Lajamanu, where he has family. It's understood he was not welcome back in the remote community of Yuendumu — two-and-a-half hours north-west of Alice Springs — because of his offending.
Instead, he elected not to travel to Lajamanu, a dry community 560 km south-west of Katherine, instead going to Old Timers to see some extended family.
More to come
The article was amended to remove the young girl's name, in line with cultural protocols.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Mr Lewis or who has any information at all, is urged to call police on 000. Please quote reference P26120934.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.
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
