The death of a Wadeye man last week has sparked fears of community violence

A mystery death in a remote Northern Territory community has sparked fears of violence. Read what happened.

Wadeye residents are bracing for “retribution” just days after the mystery death of a resident sent shockwaves through the west-coast Northern Territory community.

With Aboriginal community members involved in ceremonial business for a fortnight beginning last week, residents are bracing for a violent response to the death of the 49-year-old man, once cultural observations conclude.

Police revealed last Monday the man had presented to the Wadeye Clinic with lacerations on his face and head and had collapsed shortly before attending the clinic.

The man collapsed a second time within an hour of arriving at the clinic, with initial assessments indicating he was suffering from internal bleeding.

On Thursday, police released a statement saying the man’s life support had been switched off and he had died.

Police said they were notified of the man’s injuries about 4pm Thursday, September 19, but believed the incident in which he was hurt had occurred up to two days earlier.

Police said they believed the man was with two other men in the community when he was assaulted.

Speculation around the town suggested the man had been assaulted following a dispute over a bottle of rum, although police did not confirm that claim.

But residents are expecting an increased police presence in Wadeye in coming days as friends and relatives of the dead man gather to mark his passing.

Alcohol is illegal in Wadeye for non-permit holders.

One resident said, based on previous experience, a sustained period of community unrest often followed a violent incident or death in the town.

Adding to the uncertainty is that a Traditional Owner who often mediated between feuding families, died suddenly last month.

“He would get on the loudspeaker if there was trouble and tell people to stop fighting and to go back to their homes,” a Wadeye resident said.

“He was able to calm people down when they were upset and we’re worried about how matters will be resolved without him there.”

Alcohol is banned in Wadeye without alcohol permits, but the product is still smuggled in via various backroads and secret tracks into the community.

The Traditional Owner played a significant role in trying to defuse tensions in the town in 2022 when a father-of-three was killed.

Dozens of houses were burnt to the ground during that unrest and at one point police used tear gas to try and quell rioting.

“Non-indigenous residents are advised by police to stay away from trouble spots when violence escalates,” the man said.

“It’s not good that women and children are exposed to this sort of violence but nobody seems to be able to stop it.”

Originally published as The death of a Wadeye man last week has sparked fears of community violence