Funding campaign set up to help family of 19-year-old Yiel Deng Gatluak return body to Melbourne

The body of Yiel Gatluak was found on a dirt road near Alice Springs last week. Now his loved ones face the heartbreaking challenge to bring his body home for the ‘burial he deserves’.

Yiel ‘Yoal’ Deng Gatluak was found dead near Alice Springs on New Years Day.

Loved ones of a 19-year-old man found dead on the outskirts of Alice Springs are appealing for help to bring his body to Melbourne for their finals goodbyes.

Yiel ‘Yoal’ Deng Gatluak moved to the Territory after finishing high school in Melbourne two years ago and was working in Gillen as a mechanic before his tragic death on New Year’s Day.

“Yiel was a wonderful and a loving son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and a true friend to many, who touched the lives of those around him,” family said in a GoFundMe set up to help cover funeral costs.

Yiel ‘Yoal’ Gatluak is being remembered as a happy, kind, and hardworking young man after his body was found on the outskirts of Alice Springs.

“His heart was pure and he was always happy and kind to everyone. He treated everyone with so much kindness.”

Organiser of the fundraiser, Nyakuoar Gatluak, said the family was “devastated” by the loss and was not prepared for the costs of flying Yiel’s body back to Victoria for a funeral.

“We need to transport his body to Melbourne where he was born and raised in order to lay his body to rest at home,”

“We want to give our beloved Yiel the memorial he deserves, to honour his memory and say our last goodbyes.”

On Tuesday afternoon almost $4500 had been raised of a $22,000 target.

Attorney General and Justice Minister Chansey Paech confirmed the Crime Victims Services Unit would also be working with the family to provide financial assistance towards funeral expenses.

Donate to the funeral costs at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-yiel-gatluak-taken-too-soon

‘A good man’: Body found near Alice Springs identified as beloved mechanic

A man whose body was found near Alice Springs last week has been remembered as “energetic”, “humble” and “hardworking”, as the community seeks answers about his tragic death.

Yiel Deng Gatluak, 19, moved north after finishing high school in Melbourne two years ago and was working in Gillen as a mechanic.

His body was found on a dirt road leading to Undoolya Station about 12.30pm on New Year’s Day, with police launching an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A vigil was held at the site where the body of 19-year-old Yiel ‘Yoal’ Deng Gatluak was found on New Years Day.

“He was a good man,” African Association of Central Australia chair Chuol Yat said.

“He was a young, energetic man who was very humble.

“A young man who was determined, shown in the fact that as soon as he finished his Year 12 he came to Alice to study (by) himself. He was a man of his own income and independence.

“The family is trying to reconcile the fact that the person has gone – it is the reality and there is no escape.”

Mr Yat said the community had been rallying around Mr Gatluak’s grieving loved ones in both Melbourne and Alice Springs.

“The family also is in the middle of a big mob of supporters, the community and family members and the church and the society at large,” he said.

On Thursday dozens of mourners laid flowers, joined together in song, and paid tribute to Mr Gatluak at the site where his body was found on Undoolya Rd, 10km east of Alice Springs.

Sharing the event on Facebook, Mary Riek wrote: “A young life is being cut short … rest in peace”.

Speaking last week Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said it was believed Mr Gatluak was only at the scene for a short time before his body was discovered.

Mr Wurst was not able to confirm the cause of death or the nature of the young man’s “significant” injuries.

On Thursday police seized a 2017 black Ford Ranger Wildtrak believed to be connected to the fatal incident.

The owner of the car had spoken to police but was not considered a suspect.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the area is urged to come forward.

Originally published as Funding campaign set up to help family of 19-year-old Yiel Deng Gatluak return body to Melbourne