Kumanjayi White family's legal action over death in custody discontinued

The legal action taken by the family of Kumanjayi White has been discontinued following the disclosure of new information by police regarding the decision not to prosecute the two officers involved in his death. Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man with disabilities, succumbed to injuries sustained in Coles supermarket in Alice Springs in May 2025 after being restrained by the police.

His grandfather, Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, expressed the family's continued determination to seek answers regarding the decision not to lay charges against the officers. The family had sought legal action against the NT Police Force to obtain more information about the decision-making process behind the non-prosecution. The case was expected to be heard this week, but it was discontinued as a court order was no longer required due to the provision of new information to the family.

The grandfather of Kumanjayi White stated that while the legal action was dropped, the family still sought clarification on why the decision was made not to charge anyone. They were particularly interested in understanding the specific charges that were considered and the reasons behind their dismissal. The family emphasized their desire for transparency, justice, and accountability in relation to Kumanjayi White's death, and vowed to persist in their efforts to uncover the truth.