Man accused of Coconut Grove murder remanded in custody
A 50-year-old man has been charged with murder and domestic violence-related offences after a woman was found dead in an apartment in Coconut Grove on Friday.
Police & Courts
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UPDATE: WITH a bandaged left arm 50-year-old John Mayatjun appeared at Darwin Local Court on Monday charged with the alleged murder of a woman in Coconut Grove at the weekend.
The man, who was aided by a translator, has also been charged in relation to alleged domestic violence related offences.
Mayatjun was remanded in custody to appear in court again on October 27.
No application for bail was made.
EARLIER: NT Police have charged a man with murder and domestic violence-related offences following the discovery of a deceased woman in a Coconut Grove apartment on Friday.
Police say they apprehended 50-year-old John Mayatjun on Sunday without incident and laid charges later in the night.
The alleged offender was remanded to appear in court on Monday for a first mention.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey thanked the public for their assistance.
“Thanks to the assistance from the public and the support of NTES [Northern Territory Emergency Service) volunteers who have assisted police in searching the area, we were able to locate the alleged offender and hold him to account for his actions,” he said.
“Domestic violence is abhorrent and something we as a community should have no tolerance for.
“If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic and family violence, please reach out for help. Call police on 131 444 or in an emergency call triple-0.”
EARLIER: A WOMAN has been found dead in an apartment in Coconut Grove and police are treating the incident as “suspicious”.
Authorities are calling on anyone who was at the Nightcliff shops, Progress Drive and Litchfield Court, between 7pm and 8pm on Friday to come forward, saying the woman would have stood out to passers-by as she was wearing a large cast on her left leg.
NT Police was called to the Progress Drive apartment block just before 8pm Friday after it received a report someone had died at the property.
The woman’s body was discovered on arrival.
Police were stationed at the property most of Saturday, with a large cordon set up around the premises.
SES crews were also seen scouring nearby grass for any evidence.
Major Crime officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said police had established a crime scene.
“At this stage we are treating this death as suspicious and we would like to speak to anyone who may be able to help us piece together events leading to this incident,” he said.
“The woman was a 48-year-old Aboriginal woman living in the apartment complex. She had a full-leg cast on her left leg.”
Sergeant Morrissey declined to say whether police had attended any other calls to the address, or whether the incident was believed to be related to domestic violence.
He said police had questioned a woman in relation to the incident, but that she was not in police custody.
“There was another occupant in the premises and they’re helping us with inquiries,” he said.
Neighbours of the Litchfield Court premises said the woman had only moved into the home last Wednesday, and that they hadn’t overheard any sounds of a commotion coming from the residence.
They said police had earlier flown drones around the property.
Detectives, who had donned masks, were seen investigating the inside of the home, as well as the backyard and surrounding areas.
Police conducted doorknocks in the area, but are calling on anyone who was at or near the Nightcliff shops between 7pm and 8pm to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference No. 9776175.
EARLIER: A WOMAN has been found dead in an apartment in Coconut Grove and police are treating the incident as ‘suspicious’.
NT Police were called to the Progress Dr apartment block just before 8pm on Friday after they received a report someone had died on the property.
The woman’s body was discovered on arrival.
Major Crime officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said police had established a crime scene.
“At this stage we are treating this death as suspicious, and we would like to speak to anyone who may be able to help us piece together events leading to this incident,” he said.
“The woman was a 48-year-old Aboriginal woman living in the apartment complex. She had a full-leg cast on her left leg.”
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Police have conducted door knocks in the area but are calling on anyone who was at the Nightcliff shops, or near Progress Dr or Litchfield Ct, between 7pm and 8pm to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference 9776175.
SES crews were seen scouring the surrounds of the home, in public housing near Progress Dr, Nightcliff.
Some neighbours said they had heard no disturbance on Friday night and claimed the woman had only moved into the home last week.
They said police had earlier flown drones around the property.
Detectives were seen investigating the inside of the home.
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