Jefferson Lewis: everything we know so far

Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed Jefferson Lewis was arrested at 10:30 on Thursday night for the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby. Jefferson Lewis has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in New Zealand.

Key facts

• Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole confirmed Jefferson Lewis was arrested at 10:30 on Thursday night for the alleged murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
• “I say to Jefferson Lewis that we are coming for you.”
• “We believe Jefferson Lewis has led the little girl away,” he said.
• Violence has erupted after a crowd gathered outside Alice Springs Hospital following the arrest of Jefferson Lewis.
• Another woman, who said she was a relation of Kumanjayi Little Baby, said she also believed the police were protecting Jefferson Lewis from traditional lore.

What we know

Going deeper, Violence has erupted after a crowd gathered outside Alice Springs Hospital following the arrest of Jefferson Lewis.

On the substance, Another woman, who said she was a relation of Kumanjayi Little Baby, said she also believed the police were protecting Jefferson Lewis from traditional lore.

Beyond the headlines, Hours after her death was announced, Lewis, 47, was reportedly spotted wandering outside Charles Creek town camp near the centre of Alice Springs.

More precisely, they were turned on by about 200 people, but they were able to get out of there and get Mr Lewis to hospital.

It is worth noting that Commissioner Dole said about 400 "angry people" were gathered outside Alice Springs Hospital trying to get inside and get to Mr Lewis.

By the numbers

At this stage, Commissioner Dole said Lewis has been transferred to Darwin due to "safety concerns", being flown out of Central Australia at 3:30am on Friday morning.

On a related note, more than 200 police, volunteers and Aboriginal trackers joined the search.

Going deeper, Previously, NT Police had alleged 47-year-old Lewis – who they said was at the house at the time of Kumanjayi Little Baby’s disappearance – may have taken the 5-year-old.

On the substance, Police said Lewis was seen walking out of the house “with the little girl, holding hands” about 11pm on April 25.

What they're saying

“I say to Jefferson Lewis that we are coming for you.”

“We believe Jefferson Lewis has led the little girl away,” he said.

“Around 200 people have worked tirelessly around the clock in searching for this beautiful little girl,” she said.

The wider context

On a related note, Assistant Commissioner Peter Malley, who is leading the investigation, said the focus now was to find Jefferson Lewis who they allege abducted the little girl.

“So the focus right now is to locate Jefferson Lewis.

“I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he has murdered this child, do not assist him, get him to the police station and we will look after him.

Beyond the headlines, they have been combing nearby bush and desert for Jefferson Lewis, who was released from prison six days before Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared and vanished around the same time.

More precisely, a pair of children's underwear was located nearby the camp, and forensic testing has since confirmed they contained the DNA of both the little girl - who is non-verbal - and 47-year-old Lewis, he added.

The bottom line

• They were turned on by about 200 people, but they were able to get out of there and get Mr Lewis to hospital.
• They have been combing nearby bush and desert for Jefferson Lewis, who was released from prison six days before Kumanjayi Little Baby disappeared and vanished around the same time.
• More than 200 police, volunteers and Aboriginal trackers joined the search.
• Searches spiking right now: ‘Absolute anarchy’: Riot erupts at Alice Springs Hospital after accused child killer arrested, ‘Barely a street’ in Dubbo without trees poisoned by pesticides, NSW Greens say – as it happened, Alice Springs gripped by violence after arrest of Kumanjayi Little Baby's alleged killer, Riot erupts at Alice Springs hospital after accused child killer arrested.