Community gathers for private vigil honoring Aboriginal man who died in Adelaide custody
Family and Indigenous community members held a private vigil in Adelaide to mourn 23-year-old Kunmanara Ingkatji, who died while in police custody.
A private gathering of roughly thirty people took place at Kingston Gardens on West Terrace, close to where 23-year-old Kunmanara Ingkatji died in police custody on July 23. The ceremony, organized by his aunt Melissa Thompson, featured candle lighting, yellow flowers and Pitjantjatjara hymns, reflecting his favourite colour and cultural heritage. His aunts, Jennifer Ingkatji and Nyunmiti Burton, described the news of his death as overwhelming and recounted sleepless nights of mourning.
Community members from his home region of Pukatja expressed deep sorrow, noting a sorrow camp had been set up back home. South Australian police confirmed that three investigations are underway, including a Major Crime Investigation report for the coroner, a Police Commissioner’s Inquiry, and an Ethical and Professional Standards review.
Why it matters
The vigil highlights community grief and ongoing investigations into a death in police custody, raising concerns about police conduct and Indigenous relations.
In this story