Alice Springs and Australia's first DV murder case in 2025 awaiting on report, court hears
The court case of a man allegedly behind Alice Springs’ – and Australia’s – first domestic violence murder of 2025 is awaiting one key thing. Read the latest from court.
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A man accused of Alice Springs’ – and the country’s – first domestic violence murder of 2025 is making a return to court next month, where an “expected” report is set to be tendered, a court has heard.
Patrick Jungala Nolan, 49, accused of murdering his partner in the Todd River in January, will be appearing in court in August, as per Judge David Woodroffe’s orders.
Judge Woodroffe ordered Mr Nolan appear via videolink at his next appearance on Thursday, where his matter was again before the Alice Springs Local Court.
Mr Nolan was not present during his brief mention, during which prosecutor Dan Payne told the court an “expected” post mortem report is yet to be tendered.
Mr Nolan, from Papunya, is facing a charge of murder and engaging in conduct which contravenes a domestic violence order.
He was charged after a 51-year-old woman – whose paintings were internationally recognised – was found unresponsive in the Todd River on January 13.
The woman, who this masthead has chosen not to name for cultural reasons, was from the Haasts Bluff community.
In January, femicide researcher Sherele Moody said the woman’s death was the first of 2025, alleged to be at the hands of her partner.
She was found by first responders in the Todd River 11 minutes after a call to triple-0 was made, Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said in January.
Mr Nolan has been on remand since his arrest, and is alleged to have made the phone call to police, Commissioner Malley said.
He is further alleged to have attacked the woman with a non-edged weapon, and was also allegedly on a domestic violence order at the time.
He first appeared in court in January, where no application for bail was made.
No plea was entered on Mr Nolan’s behalf on Thursday, and the court heard no detail around the alleged offending.
His defence lawyer Christine Gallagher did not oppose the adjournment request.
Judge Woodroffe kept Mr Nolan on remand, and adjourned his matter to August 4.
Originally published as Alice Springs and Australia's first DV murder case in 2025 awaiting on report, court hears
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