Family pays tribute to Aboriginal man who died in police custody

Family members and the Aboriginal community are overwhelmed with sorrow and grief following the death of 23-year-old Kunmanara Ingkatji in police custody in Adelaide. A private vigil was held at Kingston Gardens on West Terrace, near where Ingkatji died on Thursday, July 23.

“

it nearly took my breath away

Ingkatji, originally from Pukatja, also known as Ernabella, on South Australia's Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, became unresponsive after resisting arrest and died at the scene. His death is currently the subject of multiple investigations.

“

My spirit went down, deep inside. I was just frozen. I was standing. I was just calling my sister's name. I was nearly [having a] heart attack.

At the vigil, attended by about 30 relatives and community members, mourners lit candles in his memory. Jennifer Ingkatji and Nyunmiti Burton, older sisters of Ingkatji's mother, spoke of their shock and deep sadness. Burton described her nephew as a "beautiful child," recounting the devastating moment she learned of his death. "My spirit went down, deep inside," she said. "I was just frozen."

“

They are still crying.

Melissa Thompson, an organizer of the vigil and an aunt to Ingkatji, shared that the community back in Ernabella is also grieving deeply and has established a "sorrow camp." She described Ingkatji as "loving and helpful and kind," and said his death has left them heartbroken. Attendees wore bright yellow, Ingkatji's favorite color, and sang Presbyterian hymns in Pitjantjatjara, honoring his memory and providing a space for collective mourning and support.

“

I was really shocked, you know. I nearly had a fit. After the police told us, me and my sister couldn't sleep 'til sunrise because we'd been crying, crying, crying.