A 44-year-old Aboriginal woman, Kumanjayi Dempsey, died in police custody at the Tennant Creek watch house in the Northern Territory on December 27, two days after her arrest. An autopsy has not yet determined the cause of death, with further toxicology tests pending. Police have indicated she likely experienced a medical event. The incident has prompted multiple investigations and raised concerns from justice advocacy groups regarding watch house procedures and medical care.
Incident Details and Timeline
Kumanjayi Dempsey was arrested on Christmas Day (December 25) and charged with aggravated assault. She had spent nearly two days in the watch house before her death.
CCTV footage from her cell shows Ms. Dempsey falling to the ground at 12:34 PM on December 27. This occurred approximately four minutes after a routine cell check. She was discovered unresponsive during a subsequent cell check at 1:03 PM. Officers initiated CPR, and Ms. Dempsey was transported to a local hospital, where she was declared deceased.
Medical Findings and Investigations
A forensic pathologist initially listed the cause of Ms. Dempsey's death as "undetermined," and further toxicology testing is currently being conducted. Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley stated that current information suggests she experienced a medical event while alone in her cell. Police noted no visible injuries on Ms. Dempsey, and no underlying health conditions were disclosed during her watch house admission assessment. However, multiple sources have indicated Ms. Dempsey suffered from rheumatic heart disease.
An internal police investigation into Ms. Dempsey's death is underway, overseen by the Professional Standards Command, with the Cultural Reform Command also deployed to Tennant Creek. Assistant Commissioner Malley confirmed that the investigation will examine all circumstances, including watch house policies, procedures, and Ms. Dempsey's medical history. A comprehensive brief of evidence is being prepared for the coroner, and an inquest is mandated under Northern Territory law for all deaths occurring in custody. The watch house crime scene has since been closed as the investigation continues.
Watch House Procedures and External Concerns
Unlike watch houses in Darwin and Alice Springs, the Tennant Creek facility does not employ nursing staff to gather health information from individuals taken into custody.
Theresa Roe, chairperson for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), stated that relying solely on police for health information gathering post-arrest raises concerns, citing potential barriers to disclosure such as language differences, personal sensitivities, and a lack of trust in police. NAAJA has reported recurring complaints regarding medical care in police watch houses, including instances of delayed access to nurses or untreated medical conditions. The agency has advocated for an independent, health-trained person to speak with every individual taken into custody and has called for an independent investigation into Ms. Dempsey's death.
Ms. Dempsey's family has engaged legal representation, with O'Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors releasing a statement expressing concerns regarding the conditions of cells in the Tennant Creek Watch House and Northern Territory detention facilities more broadly.
Official Statements and Context
Assistant Commissioner Malley extended condolences to Ms. Dempsey's family and friends, affirming confidence in the detectives handling the case and in the existing independent processes for investigating deaths in custody.
Ms. Dempsey's death marks the fourth Aboriginal death in custody in the Northern Territory in 2023.