Daily London
Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be advised this article contains the name of an Aboriginal woman who has died.
Kumanjayi Dempsey, 44, was found unresponsive during a cell check at the Tennant Creek Watch House on December 27, about 30 minutes after CCTV showed her falling to the ground.
Dempsey’s family have since engaged lawyers who are acting on their behalf.
“We are concerned about the ongoing inadequacy of the conditions of cells in Tennant Creek Watch House, and Northern Territory detention facilities more broadly,” O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors said in a statement.
Dempsey’s death marked the fourth Aboriginal death in custody in the NT in 2025.
She was found unresponsive in her cell two days after she was arrested and charged with aggravated assault over an incident on Christmas Day.
At a press conference late last month, NT Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley said CCTV showed she was alone in her cell when she fell to the ground at 12.34pm on December 27, four minutes after officers conducted a cell check.
She was not found until officers conducted another cell check at 1.03pm that same day.
NT Police said officers conducted CPR until paramedics arrived to take her to the local hospital, where she was declared dead.
Police investigations reveal she suffered a medical episode, but due to an inconclusive post-mortem, a pathologist will conduct a toxicology test to determine the cause of her death.
Malley said Dempsey had been questioned about her health upon her arrest.
“The police officer that accepted her into custody conducted that, and there was no disclosures, no visible injuries to the female at that stage, and so everything was believed to be okay,” he said.
An internal police investigation is underway into Dempsey’s death and will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command. The Cultural Reform Command has also been deployed to Tennant Creek.
In a statement released by NT Police, Malley said he had full confidence in the detectives investigating the death and the independent processes in place.
“The entire circumstances surrounding this incident, from the policy and procedures that govern watch house care to the medical history of the deceased, will form part of a comprehensive brief of evidence that will be supplied to the Coroner,” he said.
“I extend my condolences to her family and friends who are going through an incredibly difficult time. I would also like to thank the Tennant Creek community for their ongoing assistance.”
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
