Madison Butler, Melissa Jane Clancy and Dechlan Wurramarra face court for alleged murder

“Looks just like her dad”: The family of an 18-year-old man found dead have told of the devastation of seeing his baby grow up without a father, as his alleged killers faced court.

The family of a young father found dead in a Palmerston driveway has spoken of the devastation of seeing his baby grow up without him.

It comes as his alleged killers appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday morning.

The body of 18-year-old Kingsley Alley Junior was discovered bloodied and beaten on October 8 last year, less than eight weeks after his daughter Eleanor was born.

Kingsley Alley's sister Josephine Miller-Sabino and mother Chelsea Lee Miller say they want justice for their beloved family member. Picture: Floss Adams.

Speaking outside court, Mr Alley’s older sister, Josephine Miller-Sabino, said Eleanor – now seven months old – looked “exactly like her dad”.

“She’s gorgeous. It’s just devastating knowing what she has to come, without him in her life,” Ms Miller-Sabino said.

“All of the times they could have had growing up, like her first birthday and first Christmas, he never got to have any of that.

“It’s something that you cherish growing up, the memories that you make with your parents and your family.

“It’s just not fair.”

Madison Butler, 18, left, Butler’s mother Melissa Jane Clancy, 37, Dechlan Wurramarra, 21, and a 17-year-old boy (not pictured) were all charged with murder after Kingsley Alley Jr’s body was found bloodied and beaten on a Palmerston driveway on October 8.

Three of the four people charged with Mr Alley’s murder, Madison Butler, 18, her mother Melissa Jane Clancy, 37, and Dechlan Wurramarra, 21, briefly appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday via videolink but had their preliminary examination mentions adjourned to later dates.

Ms Miller-Sabino said it was “frustrating” waiting for the matter to progress.

18-year-old Kingsley 'Junior' Alley holding his newborn daughter Eleanor, with stepmum Kylie Simmonds. Picture: Supplied.

“As the family we just want this to move along as quickly as possible … it’s very overwhelming,” she said.

Mr Alley’s mother, Chelsea Lee Miller, said she wanted answers.

Mr Alley’s body was found at sunrise by neighbours outside a vacant home near the corner of Waterhouse Cr and Driver Ave, Palmerston.

Police will allege he was assaulted by Butler, Clancy, Wurramarra and an unnamed 17-year-old boy at some point between midnight and 6.30am.

Originally published as Madison Butler, Melissa Jane Clancy and Dechlan Wurramarra face court for alleged murder