Yoal Gatluak Obituary – The deceased individual discovered under suspicious circumstances on an unpaved road has been identified as Yoal Gatluak, a promising teenage mechanic. The lifeless body of the 19-year-old was found on Undoolya Road, approximately 10km east of Alice Springs, at around 12:30 pm on New Year’s Day. A woman who happened to be driving past the nearby Undoolya cattle station noticed the corpse and promptly alerted the authorities.
Chuol Yat, the chair of the African Association of Central Australia, disclosed that Mr. Gatluak had recently completed his high school education in Melbourne before relocating to Alice Springs. Mr. Yat expressed the profound sadness experienced by the family, stating, “They are grappling with the reality that this young man is no longer with us, and it is an incredibly difficult pill to swallow.” The Northern Territory Police have initiated a homicide investigation and have taken possession of a Black 2017 Ford Ranger believed to be connected to Mr. Gatluak’s untimely demise. Investigators are awaiting the coroner’s report, which will provide further details following a forensic pathologist’s autopsy.
Described by friends and family as a diligent and cherished son, Mr. Gatluak, of African descent, had aspirations of achieving financial independence and proudly referred to himself as “one of Australia’s taxpayers.” The circumstances surrounding his death have left those close to the 19-year-old perplexed, as he was known to be constantly engaged in his work and held in high esteem by the local community. Mr. Yat expressed his belief that the attack was random and expressed hope that the ongoing police investigations would shed light on the reasons behind the tragic loss of this beloved teenager.
Shortly after the discovery of the teenager’s body, Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst of the NT Police addressed the media, describing the incident as a “tragedy.” He acknowledged the emotional impact on the family, particularly given that it occurred on New Year’s Day, depriving them of their loved one for this year and all the years to come. Assistant Commissioner Wurst assured the public that investigators would exhaust all avenues in their pursuit of justice, while also keeping the African community in Alice Springs at the forefront of their considerations.