Tiwi sistergirl matriarch Crystal Love Johnson mourns loss of daughter following alleged domestic violence stabbing

‘Some people have bigger dreams, she had those’: The matriarch of the Tiwi sistergirls and a Territory celebrity has mourned the loss of her daughter following an alleged domestic violence stabbing.

The Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council announced a sunset vigil on the Nightcliff Foreshore would be held on Thursday for a 37-year-old sistergirl who was allegedly murdered on Monday. Picture: Robert McFarlane

‘A black cloud’ hangs over the Top End queer community following the alleged domestic violence killing of a beloved sistergirl.

The 37-year-old, who cannot be named for cultural reasons, was allegedly stabbed by her uncle in a Malak backyard on Monday evening.

Her alleged killer, Andrew Mario Mungatopi, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Wednesday, charged with murder, being armed with an offensive weapon and breaching a domestic violence order.

In the wake of her loss, the Top End queer community has come together to grieve and honour the 37-year-old’s memory.

The matriarch of Tiwi sistergirls Crystal Love Johnson shared her grief after losing her daughter, who she described as a “good person, a kind person”.

“We are living in a world that is all messed up,” Aunty Crystal told AAP .

“She had a good life, she had family and friends who love her, our communities that love her, but it was just tragic, because ... sometimes some people have bigger dreams, she had those.”

Crystal Love is a mentor to the sistergirl community of the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin - a group of transgender women traditionally known as Yimpininni. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council announced a sunset vigil would be held on Thursday at the Nightcliff Foreshore to allow “everyone to join in this moment of togetherness, to pay respect and to offer solidarily in shared grief”.

The community has been invited to come together at 6pm near the jetty to pay respects and honour the 37-year-old’s memory.

The NTAHC expressed its “profound sadness” over her loss, and extended “our deepest condolences to all the sistergirls, brotherboys, and everyone who knew her”.

“Domestic violence affects all of us. Enough is enough,” it said.

“Let us hold each other close in this time of sorrow.”

Darwin Pride posted the community was “heartbroken to mourn the tragic loss of a beloved sistergirl” saying the incident “highlights the continuous violence faced by LGBTIQA+SB communities”.

“There is a dark cloud over our community today,” it wrote.

“No one deserves to feel unsafe in their own home, and we must continue to fight for a world where everyone can live freely and authentically.”

Crystal Love at the Darwin No More Violence rally at Parliament House, 2024. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Members of the queer community have been critical of the use of male pronouns by the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services in its media statements about the incident.

A NT Police spokesman declined to confirm if the media unit had a gender protocol policy in relation to gender diverse people.

“Northern Territory Police are working closely with, and providing support, to the family and community of the deceased,” he said.

“Out of respect for both the family and the community, police will not be providing further commentary surrounding the death.”

NT Anti-Discrimination Commission Jeswynn Yogaratnam said there was a legal duty on all organisations to proactively prevent and eliminate discrimination to the greatest extent possible.

He called for the police to develop and comply with protocols for pronouns to “afford dignity and rights” to the victim and her community.

NT Anti-Discrimination Commission Jeswynn Yogaratnam said there was a legal duty on all organisations to proactively prevent and eliminate discrimination to the greatest extent possible.

Mr Yogaratnam said he was personally, deeply affected by the news, saying he was in “shock” to hear about the loss of another sistergirl.

“We’re working so hard to change this behaviour,” he said.

“Through the reforms of the Anti-Discrimination Act it has strengthened community safety, particularly around gender identity, race, domestic violence and language.

“I am deeply saddened that this has happened... and this is why we need to protect these laws.”

Our Watch reports gender diverse Australians disproportionately experience domestic violence, with 40 per-cent of non binary people, 30 per cent of trans men and 20 per cent of trans women reporting experiencing physical violence from a family member.

13YARN is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.

Phone: 13 92 76

Website: www.13yarn.org.au

1800RESPECT is a national service providing confidential information, counselling, and support for people impacted by domestic and family violence, including tailored support for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Phone: [phone] (24/7)

Webchat: www.1800respect.org.au

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people across Australia.

Phone: [phone] (3pm – midnight AEST)

Webchat: www.qlife.org.au

Lifeline offers 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)

Webchat: www.lifeline.org.au

Originally published as Tiwi sistergirl matriarch Crystal Love Johnson mourns loss of daughter following alleged domestic violence stabbing