Darwin Esplanade death: Woman runs to hotel for help

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney says she and her staff tried to save a woman who was allegedly attacked by her partner near a hotel in Darwin.

Police at the scene of an alleged stabbing death in Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A federal minister has borne witness to the Territory’s violence after a woman was allegedly stabbed near a luxury hotel in Darwin.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said she and her staff tried to save the woman who sought refuge at the Doubletree Hilton on Friday evening.

Ms Burney released a statement saying she comforted the dying woman’s family, while her office staff joined hotel staff in aiding the victim before paramedics arrived.

The woman died a day before 300 Territorians gathered for an anti-crime rally on Saturday.

The alleged violence fuelled tensions at Saturday’s anti-crime protest.

The Chief Minister and Opposition Leader have both spoken about the woman’s death.

A Doubleetree Hilton staff member said the night-duty manager assisted the woman as she bled heavily following the alleged attack on the Esplanade.

The NT News has been told the woman ran into the ground-floor foyer of the hotel about 6pm on Friday.

Police tape in the area where a woman was allegedly stabbed to death. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The hotel staffer stayed with the woman until paramedics arrived.

Police closed part of The Esplanade after the alleged stabbing.

It is believed the victim was 51 and the arrested male was her partner, believed to be aged 56.

The NT News has also spoken to the woman’s brother who attended the scene with friends on Saturday morning.

The man said the woman had been in Darwin since last year to visit her son, who is in jail.

He said he learnt of the stabbing several hours after the incident when he returned to The Esplanade after being in the city.

The Double Tree Hilton in Darwin where a woman was allegedly killed. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

NT Police said the woman was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital with life-threatening injuries soon after the stabbing but died a short time later.

“A man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody,” police said.

“A crime scene has been declared, and a section of the Esplanade remains closed while police investigate.”

Police at the scene of the alleged killing. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A photo believed to be taken from a nearby high-rise hotel shows several police vehicles along the Esplanade and police tape across the road.

On Saturday morning, Grand Touring buses were queued in front of The Esplanade waiting to take passengers to The Waterfront for breakfast. Last night passengers had been dropped off at the hotel’s Mitchell Street entrance.

Just hours before the incident, deputy chief minister Nicole Manison had addressed more than 100 guests and foreign dignitaries at a Minerals Club event at the Doubletree Hilton ballroom.

Police are also investigating an unrelated incident in which a person suffered non-fatal injuries after a stabbing near Casuarina Square.

It is understood the incident took place not far from the bus terminal close to the Woolworths escalator.

Both incidents happened on the eve of a protest rally against violent crime to be held at Parliament House at 4pm Saturday.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to phone Policelink on 131 444. Further police comment is expected today.

Leader of the opposition Lia Finocchiaro calls for stronger amendments to bail laws. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro extended her condolences to the woman’s grieving family.

“With each violent attack, the lives impacted grows, the family and friends of the victims, we must think of the hospitality workers who desperately tried to revive a life, the retail worker seeing stabbings in front of them, the ambulance, police and security first to the scene,” she said.

“Their lives have changed. The city we know and love has changed. The Territory we know and love has changed.”

Ms Finocchiaro said the NT government’s bail law changes after the alleged murder of Declan Laverty were little more than “window dressing”.

“Criminals have never ending second chances under Labor and they know it,” she said.

Ms Finocchiaro called for the Fyles government to “give police back the power to deal with problem drunks”, re-address bail laws, implement mandatory alcohol rehabilitation, and introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults on frontline workers.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she wanted everyone in the Territory to be safe. Picture: Pema Tamang

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the bail changes sent a “strong message” to the NT community.

“If you are charged with a violent offence involving a weapon, it is expected that you will be remanded in prison until your case is determined,” she said.

“My heart goes out to all those affected last night. A woman has lost her life.

“This is why we are investing $54 million into domestic and family violence and $229 million over five years on family support.

“As a government we never stop working, we want the Territory to be safe for everyone and to let those know – if you break the law, if you harm someone else, you will be charged.”

Originally published as Darwin Esplanade death: Woman runs to hotel for help