Aboriginal Woman Kumanjayi Dempsey Dies in Tennant Creek Police Custody, Prompting Calls for Accountability

Aboriginal Woman Dies in Tennant Creek Custody

A 44-year-old Aboriginal woman, identified as Kumanjayi Dempsey, a mother of five, died in police custody at the Tennant Creek watch house in the Northern Territory, Australia, on December 27, 2025. Ms. Dempsey was found unresponsive in her cell after being held for nearly two days following her arrest on Christmas Day for an alleged aggravated assault. Her death has ignited renewed calls for accountability and scrutiny of detention conditions in the region.

Circumstances of Death and Initial Findings

Police reports indicate that Ms. Dempsey was discovered unresponsive in her cell at 1:03 PM on December 27, 2025, during a routine cell check. CCTV footage reportedly shows her falling to the ground at 12:34 PM, minutes after a previous check. Police officers administered CPR, and she was subsequently transported to Tennant Creek Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. An initial autopsy has been unable to determine the cause of death, listing it as 'undetermined,' with further toxicology tests pending. Northern Territory Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley stated that investigations suggest Ms. Dempsey suffered a 'medical incident' while alone in her cell.

Concerns Over Watch House Conditions and Medical Care

The death of Kumanjayi Dempsey has brought to the forefront long-standing concerns regarding the conditions within the Tennant Creek Watch House. O'Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors, representing Ms. Dempsey's family, issued a statement expressing 'sincere condolences' and raising 'concern over the ongoing inadequacy of the conditions of cells in Tennant Creek Watch House, and Northern Territory detention facilities more broadly.' A critical point of contention is the absence of a stationed custody nurse at the Tennant Creek watch house, a service available in other Northern Territory facilities like Alice Springs, Palmerston, and Darwin. Health assessments for detainees in Tennant Creek are performed by police officers. This lack of independent medical personnel contradicts recommendations from a previous coronial inquiry into another death in custody.

Calls for Independent Investigation and Broader Context

Ms. Dempsey's death marks the fourth Aboriginal death in custody in the Northern Territory in 2025. The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) has strongly advocated for an independent investigation, with CEO Ben Grimes stating that 'internal police investigations following an Aboriginal death in custody are not sufficient to ensure accountability or public confidence.' This event also follows criticism of the NT Government's recent refusal to allow a United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention access to detention centers, including watch houses, which some lawyers argue breaches Australia's international human rights obligations. Advocates emphasize that 'independent, transparent investigations are critical, not only to uncovering the truth, but also to maintaining community trust and preventing future deaths.'