Police charge woman over domestic violence-related death of female relative in Katherine

A 26-year-old woman has been charged over a domestic violence-related death of a female relative in Katherine on Tuesday.

Update, July 21: A 26-year-old woman has been charged over a domestic violence-related death of a female relative in Katherine on Tuesday night.

It is alleged the pair engaged in an argument that turned physical resulting in the death of the 33-year-old.

The woman was related to the 33-year-old female victim.

Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Lawson said an existing medical condition was a contributing factor.

“The 33-year-old had an existing medical condition, which appears to have been a contributing factor in her death,” Mr Lawson said.

The relative has been charged with one count of violent conduct causing death, and has been remanded in custody to appear in Darwin Local Court on July 25

July 20: NT POLICE are investigating the domestic violence-related death of a woman near Katherine on Tuesday night.

Police and paramedics were called to attend an incident in a community near the rural town about 11pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Lawson said the woman had allegedly been involved in a fight with a relative.

“Officers located an unresponsive woman, who had allegedly been involved in a fight with a female relative,” Mr Lawson said.

“Paramedics commenced CPR, but unfortunately the 33-year-old woman died at the scene just after midnight.”

The case is being treated as a family violence incident and investigations are ongoing.

It is the second fatal domestic violence incident in three days, with NT Police investigating after the bodies of two adults and a baby were found on a Central Australian outstation.

Police said a gun was found near the bodies of a 41-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman and an infant, 25km north of Alice Springs on Sunday.

White Ribbon national director Allan Ball said any life lost to domestic violence was an “absolute travesty”.

“We know that preventing violence before it starts is critical.,” Mr Ball said.

He said work was being done with local stakeholders in the community to address the drivers of violence, abuse and disrespect.

“The complexities of working in rural and remote Australia and domestic violence prevention needs a national focus, because the solutions are different.”

Police Minister Kate Worden called for the violence to end, promising to fight for greater federal funding for domestic violence services.

“Once again our hearts are broken by horrific acts which keep happening to our women and kids,” Ms Worden said.

“I am advocating strongly for funding to address domestic, family and sexual violence to be based on need, not on population. I will continue to work tirelessly with the sector to push the federal government for the funding and services we need.”

Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley said many had told her the incident on Sunday was “a tragedy waiting to happen”.

“Once again our community is left speechless, heartbroken, angry and confused by a horrific, senseless loss of young lives,” she said.

“This family was well known to the police and Territory Families in Alice Springs.

“But it is impossible for the police and domestic violence workers to track these high risk families 24/7.”

Originally published as Police charge woman over domestic violence-related death of female relative in Katherine