15-year-old ‘Palmo Stingah’ who died in stolen vehicle crash remembered as talented musician

A ‘heartbroken’ community is set to celebrate the life of a talented muso who died in a fatal car accident.

FAMILY and friends will gather to remember a Territory teen that died in a stolen vehicle earlier this month.

A funeral service for the young man, known to many as ‘Palmo Stingah’, will be held at C3 Church, Patterson Road in Malak at 10am onMonday 18 July.

Family, friends mourn crash victim

HIS own words have given comfort to family and friends as they grieve the loss of the Territory teen.

On Monday, videos of Palmo Stingah, a young rapper who died in a car accident on the Stuart Hwy near Manton Dam, circulated on social media.

In his own music video, the 15 year-old says “don’t judge us, don’t judge us cause we are running amok, I’ll tell you right now I was raised in a slum”.

Friend and fellow musician Riley Page said he was a “little brother” to him and had plans to keep his legacy alive.

“I don’t have much to say right now,” he said.

“We have so many unreleased songs that I plan to slowly give out to his fans and the community over the next five-10 years to keep his name alive.”

Riley said his “little brother” would always be in his heart.

Palmo Stingah in one of his own music videos.

More widely, the community paid tribute to a young man who was seen as gifted and loyal.

“What a talented young brother. My hearts shattered; may the young king rest in peace,” another friend Jaydan Ahmat posted on Facebook.

Phill Goff wrote on Facebook that he had “high hopes” for the “super talented’ rapper.

The teenager, who was in the stolen car when it crashed, was in the care of Territory Families at the time of his death.

Well-known Territory youth justice advocate Kirra Voller posted on Facebook calling for people to stop blaming parents.

“It’s always the case government interfering with a child’s life acting like they know best,” she said.

“Now this child has lost their life, stuck in a system that was never built to protect them. My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young person.”

A grandmother, who didn’t want to be named, said “how does this happen”?

“The department took this child off his family and was supposed to grow him up into a good kid, now he is dead,” she said.

The Office of the Children’s Commission confirmed they were aware the child was in the care of Territory Families.

“The child was a talented music artist known for his humour and personality and will be fondly remembered,” Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Hucks said.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the child and the communities affected.”

Ms Hucks extended her thoughts to children who were in hospital and their families.

“This is such a tragic incident and I hope that the children, families and communities are treated with respect and dignity during this time.” Territory Families confirmed the child was in their care and said they were working with NT Police and relevant agencies to review “circumstances” surrounding his death.

NT Police mark out the scene on the Stuart Hwy in front of the crash wreckage at Manton Dam. Picture: Floss Adams.

“As this matter is under investigation, no further comment will be provided,” a Territory Families spokesman said.

Under NT law, a coronial inquest will be required to investigate the child’s death in the coming months.

The NT News understands the teenager had been living at CASPA House, a residential facility for young people.

The 15 year-old-boy was one of five children involved in the crash on the Stuart Hwy, south of Darwin.

The four other occupants of the alleged stolen vehicle were aged 9, 11, 14 and 15

All children are known to Territory Families.

The crash wreckage at Manton Dam. Picture: Floss Adams

Teen remembered as talented muso

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy who died when a stolen vehicle crashed on the Stuart Hwy near Manton Dam on Sunday night was under the care of Territory Families at the time of the accident.

The Office of the Children’s Commission confirmed they were aware the child was in the care of Territory Families.

“The child was a talented music artist known for his humour and personality and will be fondly remembered,” Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Hucks said.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the child and the communities affected.”

Ms Hucks extended her thoughts to children who were in hospital and their families.

“This is such a tragic incident and I hope that the children, families and communities are treated with respect and dignity during this time.”

Friends of the teenagers have told the NT News they are “shaken” and “furious”.

A grandmother from the community, who didn’t want to be named, said “how does this happen”?

“The department took this child off his family and was supposed to grow him up into a good kid, now he is dead,” she said.

Acting Children's Commissioner Nicole Hucks during Reconciliation Week 2022. Picture: Supplied

Territory Families confirmed the child was in their care and said they were working with NT Police and relevant agencies to review “circumstances” surrounding his death.

“As this matter is under investigation, no further comment will be provided,” a Territory Families spokesman said.

Under NT law, a coronial inquest will be required to investigate the child’s death in the coming months.