57-year-old Desmond Booth charged with August 21 murder of partner in Malak

The man charged with the murder of his partner after she was found dead in their Malak home has fronted the Darwin Local Court for the first time. Find out what was said.

NT Police on the scene in Malak on August 21, 2024 after a 43-year-old woman was found deceased at a residence on Magdelene Court overnight. Picture: Jason Walls

Latest: The man charged with the murder of his partner after she was found dead in their Malak home has fronted the Darwin Local Court for the first time.

Desmond Frankie Booth was brought before Judge Sue Oliver after he was charged with murder earlier on Thursday morning.

Police earlier alleged the 43-year-old woman was found dead at a home on Magdelene Court in Malak after police received a call at about 12.10am on Wednesday.

Mr Booth was later found and arrested by police at a nearby home.

In addition to the single count of murder, Mr Booth was also charged with breaching a domestic violence order.

He was represented in court by Emrys Nekvapil, who called for an adjournment to prepare for a preliminary examination mention (PEM).

Mr Booth was remanded in custody is expected to return to court for the PEM on October 16, two weeks after the service of the brief is set to be completed on October 3.

Man charged with murder over woman’s Darwin death

Earlier: NT Police have charged a man with murder over the death of his partner after her body was found in a home in the Northern Suburbs.

The 43-year-old woman was found dead at a home on Magdelene Court in Malak after police received a call about 12.10am on Wednesday.

The 57-year-old man was arrested a short time later at a separate location, police said.

The man was also charged with breaching a domestic violence order.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jon Beer on Thursday morning said the couple had lived at the same home, and police were treating the incident as a domestic homicide.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jon Beer from NT Police's major crime squad speaks with the media after a 43-year-old woman was found dead in Malak on Wednesday morning. Picture: Jason Walls

NT Police remanded the man in custody overnight to appear in Darwin Local Court on Thursday.

Police in a statement urged those experiencing domestic or family violence to contact 131 444 or in an emergency call triple-0.

Support services are also available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.