Alice Springs court awaits forensics in case of Australia’s first alleged DV murder for 2025

An outstanding ‘brain examination’ report is one piece of forensic evidence yet to be tendered in a court case for the man accused of Australia’s first DV murder. Read the latest from court.

Alice Springs town centre. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Prosecutors are waiting for a “brain examination” report, which is set to become part of the forensic evidence in the court case against the man accused of Australia’s first domestic violence murder for 2025.

The matter of Patrick Jungala Nolan, 49, accused of murdering his partner in January, was back before the Alice Springs Local Court last Thursday, for a preliminary examination mention.

Mr Nolan was not present in court on Thursday, where prosecutor Bridgette Le Comte said the forensic evidence had not been received.

The prosecution was also awaiting a “brain examination” report, she said.

Mr Nolan is accused of murdering his 51-year-old partner – who this masthead is not naming for cultural reasons – in Alice Springs in January.

The woman’s death is the first alleged to be at the hands of their partner in 2025.

She was an acclaimed painter, and was found unresponsive in the Todd River on January 13.

The Todd River in Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

First responders arrived at the scene within 11 minutes, police said in January, but tragically the woman could not be revived.

Mr Nolan, from Papunya, was arrested shortly after the woman was found, and has been on remand since.

On Thursday, Mr Nolan’s lawyer Bronwen Robertson said it was “disappointing” there was outstanding evidence which had not been disclosed.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t progress the matter, but we’re not in the position to progress without that material,” she said.

He has been charged with murder and engaging in conduct which contravenes a domestic violence order.

He is yet to enter a plea.

Judge Sarah McNamara remanded Mr Nolan in custody and adjourned his matter to July 24 for another preliminary examination mention.

Mr Nolan is excused from attending the mention if he is legally represented.

Originally published as Alice Springs court awaits forensics in case of Australia’s first alleged DV murder for 2025