Darwin stabbing victim identified, as suspect appears in court

The woman allegedly stabbed to death by her partner and aided by Linda Burney’s staff on Friday has been named as Elaine Naroldol.

NT Esplanade Double Tree Hilton Shots Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The woman allegedly stabbed to death by her husband and aided by Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney’s staff in Darwin on Friday has been identified as a well-known artist.

Dennis Malambula Naroldol, 56, is accused of murdering the 51-year-old outside the Hilton Hotel Esplanade, and appeared in court for the first time on Monday morning, wearing an orange prison issue jumper and white thongs.

He remained silent throughout the hearing and did not apply for bail.

The wife, described online as a “fantastic artist with an exceptionally fine line”, entered the hotel at around 6pm, after which police and ambulance officers were called.

Coincidentally, Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney and her staff were nearby and assisted hotel staff as they tried saving her, and Ms Burney later comforted members of the victim’s family who were at the scene.

“Last night in Darwin, a woman tragically died after allegedly being stabbed outside a hotel where I was staying,” Ms Burney told The Daily Telegraph.

“The woman came into the hotel to seek help.

“Together with staff from the hotel, members of my staff provided assistance to the woman, and I comforted members of her family,” the minister said.

Police said CCTV operators were able to direct police to the Mr Naroldol, who was still in the area, and he was arrested without incident.

According to an online profile Mr Naroldol is also an artist, and would regularly paint with his wife.

“In the 1970s he was taught how to paint by his father and his grandfather,” the profile reads.

“They showed him how to paint on dollobo (bark), make Mankole (spears) and gave him knowledge of how to become an artist.

“Dennis’ work is characterised by incredibly fine and precise rarrk, a style he got from his elders,” it reads.

On Saturday, NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she wanted the Territory “to be safe for everyone”.

“My heart goes out to all those affected last night. A woman has lost her life,” she said.

It comes just under four weeks after a bottle shop worker was stabbed to death by an Indigenous teenager after allegedly being refused service.

Following the death, the Fyles government legislated an urgent amendment to include a new presumption against bail for violent offences involving a weapon.

The new laws are applicable to youth and adults and co-offenders who might not even be carrying a weapon but are involved in an offence where a weapon is used.

The hearing was adjourned until June 14.