A 44-year-old Aboriginal mother of five died at the Tennant Creek watch house last Saturday. NT police said she appeared to suffer a medical episode inside her cell on December 27. She was arrested on Christmas Day for an alleged aggravated assault. The NT police’s major crime unit is leading the investigation with oversight from the professional standards command. Ben Grimes, CEO of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), called for an independent investigation. “NAAJA’s longstanding view is that internal police investigations following an Aboriginal death in custody are not sufficient to ensure accountability or public confidence,” he said. He added, “Without genuine independence, the cycle of harm, mistrust and unanswered questions will continue.” Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said police take the death seriously. “The Crime Command are currently in Tennant Creek investigating, with oversight from both the Professional Standards and Cultural Reform Commands,” he said. He noted, “At this stage, it appears the woman has suffered a medical incident.” Malley also stated he had “no issues” with police investigating themselves in such cases. “We investigate our own all the time. We’re very good at it,” he said. The woman reportedly had rheumatic heart disease, a condition affecting many Indigenous Australians. Unlike other watch houses, Tennant Creek does not have an on-duty custody nurse, a role recommended after a 2012 coronial inquiry. NT police said an “in depth” health assessment was done by an officer when she was admitted. “She was deemed fit for custody and officers saw no sign of injuries,” they said. The woman was found unresponsive during a cell check at 1:03 pm on December 27. CPR was performed until ambulance arrival, and she was pronounced dead at Tennant Creek Hospital. MP Steve Edgington expressed his condolences and confirmed a full investigation is underway by police and the coroner. In 2024-25, 113 deaths in custody were recorded, with 33 involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people—the highest Indigenous deaths in custody in a year since 1979. Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for support, or other helplines like Lifeline on 13 11 14.