<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A man accused of murdering a five‑year‑old girl near the outback town of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/alice-springs" rel="" target="" title="Alice Springs"><span>Alice Springs</span></a><span> remains behind bars after his case came before a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/northern-territory" rel="" target="" title="Northern Territory"><span>Northern Territory</span></a><span> court for the first time.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jefferson Lewis, 47, was expected to appear in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/courts" rel="" target="" title="Alice Springs Local Court"><span>Alice Springs Local Court</span></a><span> on Tuesday via video link from custody in Darwin, where he is being held over the alleged murder of five‑year‑old Kumanjayi Little Baby.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His appearance was excused, no application for bail was made, and the case was adjourned to July 30.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-may-5-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/65a1ee30-d4c9-4059-ad31-aee74fa879b7" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Iran fires over a dozen missiles as ceasefire broken</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged killing has horrified the tight‑knit community, which spent anxious days scouring creek beds and scrub for the missing girl before her body was found in bushland outside the town five days after she disappeared.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Kumanjayi – the name used in line with cultural tradition after her death – vanished from a home in a town camp, triggering a massive land and air search across central Australia.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/kumanjayi-little-baby-jefferson-lewis-faces-court/a97dfd56-b8e9-4a57-b42b-78bd6ef69641" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lewis was arrested at another Alice Springs town camp after being beaten unconscious by locals.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was placed under guard at Alice Springs Hospital, where a large, angry crowd gathered demanding he face traditional justice, before he was flown to Darwin by the NT </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/police" rel="" target="" title="Police"><span>Police</span></a><span> air wing for his own protection.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/met-gala-2026-live-updates-red-carpet-highlights-surprises-biggest-moments-news-headlines/d3e79475-ef1e-42f3-b721-194109a16604" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Four people forced to carry sports icon's wild Met Gala look</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The alleged murder gained nationwide attention and fuelled days of unrest, including looting and attacks on emergency services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crowds demanded traditional justice, with emergency workers attacked and police vehicles and ambulances damaged.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>More than a dozen people have since been arrested over the unrest, while police are also searching for people they believe sheltered Lewis during the days‑long search.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nine days after she was last seen on April 25, the community remains gripped by grief and anger.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>2026 BUDGET:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-budget-2026-what-to-expect-signficant-changes-announcements-explainer/94106a49-6102-447d-bb6a-53aabc1d4a5f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Workers set for $300 tax-time bonus in budget one-off</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy told ABC's 7.30 program it was important to remember Kumanjayi was very loved by her family, who were in deep mourning and did not want her death to be turned into a political fight.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also backed National Children's Commissioner Sue‑Anne Hunter, who said children cannot be safe in overcrowded or rundown houses and that governments still had "a hell of a lot of work" to do to keep Aboriginal children safe.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Candlelight vigils for Kumanjayi are planned for Thursday and mourners have been asked to wear pink, her favourite colour, as the community comes together to grieve and remember her short life.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).</span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>