Fears ‘suspected murderer’ on the loose in Alice Springs

Alice Springs police have been urged to do more to ­assure its ­Sudanese community that it would find justice for a teenager found dead at a roadside.

Yiel Gatluak is being remembered as a ‘good bloke full of jokes and laughs’.

Alice Springs has “a suspected murderer on the loose” and police have been urged to do more to ­assure its ­Sudanese community that it would find justice for a teenager found dead at a roadside.

Just days after new Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler said crime was under control in the trouble-stricken town, Alice Springs is on edge over the lack of progress in catching the killer of Yiel Gatluak, who was found with “horrific stab wounds” on New Year’s Day.

The puzzled and frustrated community is awaiting answers from tight-lipped authorities that have left locals and the African community “incredibly concerned”.

The Melbourne-born 19-year-old’s body was found dumped on an access road to Undoolya Station in the early afternoon of New Year’s Day.

Many locals The Australian spoke to on Monday said they were struggling to understand why there was more transparency on crime interstate than there was in the Territory, with the community at heightened levels of fear after an avalanche of youth crime over the past few weeks.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson called on police to give more assurances and transparency to the public and claimed the wider Alice Springs community was scared.

“I understand the police can’t put all the information forward with a continuing investigation, however I think it is imperative that information that can be shared is,” Mr Paterson said.

Alice Springs mayor Matt Paterson. Picture: Mark Brake

“At the moment the community are none the wiser with what is happening around a suspected murderer on the loose in Alice Springs.

“The community is rightfully under stress, and just want some answers.”

Ms Lawler landed in Alice Springs on Monday morning for the first time since she took over from Natasha Fyles, who was forced to resign over claims a small share ownership resulted in a conflict of interest.

Ms Lawler, who is less than three weeks into the job, opened a school holiday program ice skating rink on Monday.

Last Tuesday Ms Lawler said crime issues seen in Alice Springs last year were under control, citing higher police presence and more government agency representatives on the ground.

However, of the handful of ­locals The Australian spoke with on Monday, all disagreed.

The Chief Minister doubled down on the remarks on Monday, saying there had been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and a ­reduction in assaults.

Former Territory Labor MP and Alice Springs resident Scott McConnell said he “absolutely” believed crime was now worse in the town than the same period last year.

“Myself and the people that I am speaking to on a regular basis do not believe crime is under control in Alice; people are selling their properties, leaving their jobs ­because they believe there is no control on crime in Alice Springs,” he said.

“I believe that people are right but I respectfully disagree with the Chief Minister that crime is under control.

“There’s a growing hostility among the general members of the community … we’re talking about a fundamental breakdown in civil society, it’s very concerning.”

In the days following the death of Yiel, who was being remembered as a “good bloke full of jokes and laughs”, relatives have gathered at the site where his body was found, praying, singing, holding hands and laying flowers.

“Yiel was a wonderful and a loving son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and a true friend to many, who touched the lives of those around him,” Nyakuoar Gatluak wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for funeral costs.

“His heart was pure and he was always happy and kind to everyone.”