The Northern Territory Police have re-opened a more than 90-year old cold case into the mysterious disappearance in November 1934 of Yolngu clan leader Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda (photo left).
On 9 November 1934, the High Court overturned Dhakiyarr’s conviction for the spearing murder of mounted constable Albert McColl. Following his release from Darwin’s Fannie Bay Gaol, Dhakiyarr disappeared never to be seen again, although police were to have assisted him to return to his Yolngu outstation. The case has been re-opened following calls from Dhakiyarr’s descendents: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-28/nt-missing-yolngu-man-cold-case-police-killing-confession/105581636 and an investigation by ABC journalist, Jason Walls: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-09/nt-police-restarts-investigation-into-yolngu-leader/106116104. Both articles accessed 10 December 2025.