Alice Springs Police release details of vehicle believed to be connected to 19-year-old’s suspicious death
Police have released details of a vehicle believed to be connected to the death of a young Alice Springs man, whose body was found on a dirt road near a historic cattle station.
Alice Springs
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Police have seized a ute believed to be connected to a horrific New Year’s Day discovery after an Alice Springs teenager’s body was found abandoned on a dirt road.
Four days after a 19-year-old man’s body was spotted on Undoolya Road by a cattle station worker, investigators have identified a vehicle suspected to be connected to the fatal incident.
On Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said a 2017 black Ford Ranger Wildtrak, with the NT registration CE 69 DM, was seized from the Alice Springs region, with forensic examiners currently going through the vehicle.
Mr Wurst said the owner of the vehicle had spoken to police, but it was understood he was not in possession of the ute at the time of the fatal incident.
He said the owner of the vehicle was not considered a suspect.
No arrests or charges have been made following the death.
Mr Wurst said he understood the vehicle was not identified as stolen at the time of the incident, and was not able to disclose if it had been damaged.
He said police had widened their call for information seeking any footage from Alice Springs that may have captured the 2017 black Ford Ranger Wildtrak from the early hours of New Year’s Day to the early afternoon.
NT Police said the young man’s body was found at 12.34pm lying on Undoolya Road, near the historic Undoolya Station, 10km east of Alice Springs on New Year’s Day.
Police have not disclosed the nature of his injuries, however Commissioner Michael Murphy said they were “significant”.
A forensic autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, but Mr Wurst would not disclose the teenager’s injuries, the suspected cause of death or when these details would be revealed.
“That’s up to the forensic pathologist. So their role is one that is based on science and medicine and it takes them a considerable period of time to assess all of the information,” he said.
“We will provide you information relevant to the investigation into the community as required.
“And at this point in time, it’s not appropriate for me to provide any more information about the injuries sustained.”
When asked if the young man was known to police, Mr Wurst said: “That’s all part of the investigation that’s ongoing”.
On Tuesday Mr Wurst identified the teenager as from the African community in Alice Springs, calling his loss a particularly devastating “tragedy” to start the new year.
“He’s a young man who’s passed away, whose family will no longer have him for this year and for every year going forward,” Mr Wurst said.
On Thursday the young man’s interstate family landed in Alice Springs to see their fallen child.
Commissioner Murphy said the police were in close contact with Alice Springs’ “tight-knit community”.
“We’re working with the African community as well, to make sure that they’re informed and we reach some sort of resolution to bring some closure for all those involved in this tragic event.”
Territorians have also voiced their sympathies and support for the young man’s family on social media.
“My deepest condolences to his family and friends, very tragic news,” Kathleen Ketchel wrote on Facebook.
“Sad for those who love this young person,” Liz Bishop said.
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