Patrick Jungala Nolan, 49, accused of Australia’s first DV murder of 2025 back in Alice Springs court

Prosecutors are continuing to build their case against a man who was allegedly behind Australia’s first DV death of 2025. Read the latest from court.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

The man allegedly behind Australia’s first suspected domestic violence death of 2025 will wait weeks on remand until his next court date, where the final autopsy report into how an internationally recognised artist died could be tendered.

Patrick Jungala Nolan, 49, had his matter back before the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday.

Mr Nolan has been charged with engaging in conduct which contravenes a domestic violence order and murder.

He is allegedly behind Australia’s first domestic violence murder for 2025: he was charged after a 51-year-old woman was found unresponsive in the Todd River in Alice Springs on January 13.

The woman – who this masthead has chosen not to name for cultural reasons – was from the Haasts Bluff community.

She was a mother whose paintings were internationally recognised.

A call to triple-0 was made just after midnight on the night of her death to report a woman unresponsive in the Todd River, Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said in January.

The Todd River in Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

First responders arrived in 11 minutes, but the woman was unable to be revived, Mr Malley said.

At the time, he alleged Mr Nolan made the triple-0 phone call.

In January, Femicide researcher Sherele Moody said the woman’s death was the first of 2025 alleged to be at the hands of their partner.

Mr Nolan, who is from Papunya, was the woman’s partner and was allegedly arrested nearby, police said in January.

He has been on remand since his arrest, and has not made an application for bail.

Police have previously alleged a non-edged weapon was used, but in court on Thursday crown prosecutor Tania McKinney said the full brief of evidence was yet to be disclosed.

Prosecution is awaiting a final autopsy report, with some police statements “outstanding” alongside a report from St John’s Ambulance, she said.

An adjournment was sought, which was not opposed by Mr Nolan’s defence lawyer Sally Leonard.

Mr Nolan did not appear in court and did not enter a plea at his latest hearing.

Judge Sarah McNamara remanded Mr Nolan in custody and excused him from his next hearing if legally represented, which she set for June 5.

Originally published as Patrick Jungala Nolan, 49, accused of Australia’s first DV murder of 2025 back in Alice Springs court