Jefferson Lewis arrested over alleged murder of Alice Springs girl Kumanjayi Little Baby

Flowers on a fence

A shrine for Kumanjayi Little Baby, outside Old Timers camp in Alice Springs.  (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

In short:

NT Police say they have arrested the man alleged to have murdered five-year-old Alice Springs girl.

Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been the subject of a police manhunt spanning over five days.

Following Mr Lewis’s arrest there have been violent scenes outside Alice Springs Hospital, where it is believed he was taken.


Northern Territory Police have confirmed that the man alleged to have murdered a five-year-old Alice Springs girl has been arrested.

Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story includes the image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family.

This article also contains content some readers may find distressing.

Jefferson Lewis, 47, has been the subject of a police manhunt, and is accused of murdering Kumanjayi Little Baby.

“A short time ago, the Northern Territory Police Force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs,” police said in a statement.

“Further information will be provided early in the morning.”

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A dark grainy image of two officers leaning down to hold someone laying on the ground, with a white spotlight on them.

Northern Territory Police arrested Jefferson Lewis at around 10:30pm Thursday night for the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby.

Violent scenes outside hospital

A person picking up a smoke canister on the street at night with crowds in the background.

Crowds clashed with police officers in Alice Springs, after the arrest of alleged murderer Jefferson Lewis. (ABC News: Xavier Martin/Matt Garrick)

Following Mr Lewis’s arrest there have been violent scenes outside Alice Springs Hospital, where it is believed he was taken.

A police vehicle was set alight and police were pelted with rocks after hundreds gathered at the hospital.

Police with riot shields have used tear gas and rubber bullets on the crowd in an attempt to disperse those involved.

It is understood Mr Lewis had been beaten before he was located by police at a camp outside Alice Springs and required hospitalisation.

Two police officers with a riot shield behind a police vehicle.

Two police officers with a riot shield behind a police vehicle outside Alice Springs Hospital. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)

The girl, who the family has asked be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby, went missing late on Saturday night from a home in the Old Timers/Ilyperenye Aboriginal town camp on the outskirts of the outback town.

Her body was found just before midday on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole delivered the news of the “tragic update” at a press conference, calling it “an incredibly distressing development”.

Assistant Commissioner Malley said at this stage of the investigation police were unable to provide answers around the cause of the little girl’s death or how long she may have been deceased.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted on Friday.

Alice Springs community ‘devastated’

Commissioner Dole said the girl’s death was “devastating news, not only for [her] family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community and all of those around Australia who have been worrying for [her]”.

Young girl in pink dress does peace sign with fingers

The five-year-old girl was last seen at a camp on the outskirts of Alice Springs, late on Saturday night. (Supplied: NT Police Force)

“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst possible outcome,” he said.

“It is very important that [the] Alice Springs community continues to support one another and it’s equally important that police be allowed to do their job.”

Earlier on Monday, police said the foot search for the missing girl had covered six square kilometres, with people from local businesses, Aboriginal corporations and community volunteers all pitching in.