Police received a report from the local clinic around 5:30 am on Monday that a woman had died after an alleged assault. Specialist units, including detectives from the Crime Command and forensics, are travelling to the community, which is located about 1,500 kilometres from Darwin and less than 20 kilometres from the Queensland border.
Superintendent Mark Bland confirmed a male is in custody and assisting with police inquiries. The ages of the victim and alleged offender have not yet been released, and further details of the incident remain unclear.
Alpurrurulam, also known as Lake Nash, has been struggling with internal community unrest. That unrest led to the recent evacuation of clinic staff from the community. It is not yet known what level of staffing was at the clinic at the time of the woman's assault and death. NT Health has been contacted for comment.
The community has not had a permanent police station since 2018, with the closest officers stationed 170 kilometres away at remote Avon Downs. Alpurrurulam is a dry community, but the Barkly Regional Council has reported large quantities of black market alcohol being transported over the border from Queensland.
The electorate's NT MP, Chansey Paech, said in a statement he was deeply saddened by the reports. He described Alpurrurulam as a community that has been desperately calling out for more help, resources and support in recent months. Mr Paech accused the NT government of ignoring the bush and urged action on extra police resourcing and efforts to better combat illegal alcohol supply. The NT government has been contacted for comment.