A recently released prisoner has been charged with murder and sexual assault after the body of a five-year-old girl was found in Australia.
Jefferson Lewis, 47, is accused of kidnapping Kumanjayi Little Baby and murdering her along with a former convict. Hunt He was thrown down and beaten brutally by the vengeful locals.
Northern Territory Police arrested Lewis earlier this week and have now charged him with murder and two counts of sexual assault.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of an expected appearance in Darwin Local Court on Tuesday.
Police revealed that Lewis’s DNA was found on the girl’s underwear when her body was discovered in Old Timers Village on 25 April.
Around the same time that the girl first went missing, Lewis also disappeared after he went on the run for five days.
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Kumanjayi’s body was soon found as angry Alice Springs locals vowed to take “justice” into their own hands and find her killer.
Lewis managed to hide in a remote area of ​​Australia but the police and locals soon found him.
They searched for Lewis for almost a week, believing the ex-convict to be the killer, before finding him and beating him until he was unconscious.
His injuries were so bad that he had to be taken to hospital after his arrest as rioting continued in the streets.
As he went to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment, protesters faced off with police as they tried to enter the building and did not allow him to undergo any medical care.
A police car was set on fire as shells were fired towards officers, vehicles were vandalized and police had to use tear gas and rubber bullets.
At least 100 people reportedly came to take part in the riots and dozens of people threw stones at the hospital windows.
Many rioters were heard chanting “withdrawal”.
Local MP Robin Lambley said: “This is a site of massacre.
“There are trash cans on fire… A woman in labor apparently could not enter the hospital because of the violent scenes.”
Lewis had to be airlifted from the hospital and taken to Darwin to calm down as the chaos centered on him continued.
Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dooley explained why they had to transfer the offender: “Safety concerns for the hospital and medical staff, safety concerns for the police and, ultimately, safety concerns for Mr Lewis himself.
“Our police take an oath to serve and protect, we do not get to choose who we protect, so Mr. Lewis’s safety was also important.”
Kumanjayi was released from prison just six days before his disappearance and had spent 64 months behind bars between 2016 and 2025.
His offenses included aggravated assault, breach of domestic violence orders, bail and resisting police.
In a heartbreaking statement, Kumanjayi’s mother – who has not been identified – said the girl will be loved and missed.
“It’s going to be very difficult to live the rest of our lives without you.”
“We know you are in heaven with the rest of your family and Jesus. Your brother and I will meet you one day.
“Ramsiyah (Kumanjayi’s brother) wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he will give you the biggest hug ever.”
The family has also asked that she be known as Kumanjayi Little Baby – an alternative name used by the Warlpiri people for a deceased person.
It is used in place of a person’s real name to avoid the taboo of speaking the name of a deceased person after his or her death.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also paid tribute to the little girl, who he said was “at the beginning of the adventure of life”.
“This is the tragic outcome we were all desperately expecting,” he said in a statement.
“Words cannot measure the depth of grief his family is going through. At a time of terrible loss, all Australians hold them in our hearts.”
“This is devastating for the entire Alice Springs community, who came together to find him. We wish them strength, and also support the police in their difficult work as they seek answers and ultimately justice,” he added.
