Man charged with murder and rape over Coconut Grove death was on domestic violence order

Police have charged a man over the weekend after arresting him at the same house where the body of a woman ‘known to him’ was found, as loved ones mourned the Arnhem Land woman’s death.

A man has been charged with raping and murdering a woman who had a domestic violence order taken out against him.

At 12.30pm on Saturday, police were called to an apartment at Coconut Grove where the 36-year-old victim was found unresponsive and declared dead at the scene.

A 43-year-old man surrendered himself to police and was immediately arrested.

On Sunday night, he was charged with murder, sexual intercourse without consent and breaching a domestic violence order in relation to the incident.

Visiting the Litchfield Court residence, a family member told the NT News the woman had travelled to Darwin from Arnhem Land after one of her relations died in a car crash.

He also said she was an Army recruit attached to the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE), a surveillance and reconnaissance unit known for working closely with Aboriginal communities.

Several people were believed to have been occupying the house.

At the time of the arrest, police said they believed the pair were known to each other but it is unknown for how long and the current nature of their relationship.

The man was refused bail and will appear in court on Tuesday June 4.