WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the image of a person who is deceased.
A man police said was suspected of abducting and murdering a little girl in Alice Springs has been arrested, sparking violent scenes in Alice Springs overnight.
Just before midday on Thursday, Northern Territory police found the body of a girl they said was five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby, as she is now referred to in line with local Indigenous customs.
The girl had vanished at the weekend, believed to have been taken by a man police identified as Jefferson Lewis.
Just after 10pm (10.32pm AEST), police announced a breakthrough they had vowed to make.
"A short time ago, the Northern Territory Police Force located and arrested Jefferson Lewis at a residence in Alice Springs," they said in a statement.
"Further information will be provided early in the morning."
Lewis had been the only person police said they were seeking in relation to the suspected abduction of the little girl.
As news spread of the arrest, a large crowd gathered at Alice Springs Hospital, where it was believed Lewis was being treated.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the crowd, shouting "they got him", clashed with police as they demanded Lewis be handed over to be dealt with by the community.
Officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters as tensions grew, the newspaper said.
Images showed a police car on fire and it was reported that rocks were thrown at officers.
NT Police Force has been contacted for comment.
Broken hearts for 'a little queen'
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the child's mother and brother said they were devastated by her death.
"To Kumanjayi Little Baby, me and [your brother] Ramsiah miss and love you," the statement said.
"I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus, and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
"Me and your brother will meet you one day, we are giving our lives to Jesus.
"It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.
"Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.
"Love from Mum and Ramsiah."
The little girl's grandfather, Robin Granites, showed 9News where his granddaughter had been sleeping.
She had been staying there the night with her mother.
"It really hurts me saying it but she was just a little queen for us, she was a little daughter, she was just a little lady," he said.
The five-year-old's aunt, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, said in a statement tonight the discovery was "devastating".
"As part of her extended family, this loss is deeply felt," Price said.
"This is the worst possible outcome, and no child should ever be placed in harm's way.
"Police have made it clear this is a serious criminal investigation and they will pursue those responsible.
"Right now, the focus must be on supporting her family and allowing police to do their work."
'We're coming for you'
Police said the little girl's body was found about 5 kilometres south of Old Timers community camp.
Northern Territory Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Malley said earlier on Thursday that the focus of detectives was firmly on tracking down Lewis.
"I say to the family of Jefferson Lewis that we believe he's murdered this child," Malley said.
"Do not assist him, get him to the police station and we'll look after him.
"And I say to Jefferson Lewis: we're coming for you."
Police Commissioner Martin Dole said the discovery of the girl's body was the "worst possible outcome".
"This is an incredibly distressing development," he said.
Dole said her family has been formally notified by police.
He said officers were not in a position to provide answers around the cause of the girl's death or how long she may have been dead.
"A post-mortem examination will be conducted, likely tomorrow, and that will be a critical step in establishing those facts.
"The criminal investigation is ongoing and a coronial inquest will now also begin.
"As a result, there will now be limitations on what we can say publicly."
Dole described the news as "devastating" for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby, first responders, the Alice Springs community and everyone around Australia who has been worried about her.
"The support shown during the time has been overwhelming."
The girl was reported missing about 1.30am on Sunday.
On Wednesday, police revealed they had found clothing on the riverbank near Old Timers Camp during their search.
Malley said the items had been taken to Darwin for analysis.
"Of significance is the pair of child's underwear," he said.
"We located two DNA profiles [on clothing]… one, as expected, belongs to the little girl and the other belongs to Jefferson Lewis."
'Dark days like this rock everyone'
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro spoke with the five-year-old's mother to offer her "sincerest and heartfelt condolences" over the phone on Thursday.
"Right now we are focused on a grieving family, a grieving town and a grieving Northern Territory," she said.
"As our police have said, we now focus our energy in making sure we find the person who did this and bring them to justice."
Finocchiaro took the opportunity to thank the volunteers who assisted with search efforts.
"Around 200 people have worked tirelessly around the clock in searching for this beautiful little girl who went missing five days ago," she said.
"For five days, every Territorian has had their heart in their throat waiting for the moment waiting for the moment when we got the announcement that she had been found safe and well.
"That news did not come and it's fair to say that everyone is feeling this loss acutely, everyone is incredibly devastated by the outcome.
"Our hearts are all with people grieving this loss and my thanks go to every single person who volunteered to walk through the bush, to walk through the long grass, to walk up the hills, to do everything that they could to find her.
"To our police and emergency services who've done an incredible job and now focus their energy on bringing the person who did this to justice.
"I thank everyone and I ask the Alice Springs community to really rally around each other at this devastating time.
"As a mother, as a member of our community, dark days like this rock everyone and the heartbreak of this is real.
"I've also spoken to our colleague Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who is the aunty of Kumanjayi Little Baby.
"Over the days and weeks, we stick together as Territorians, like we always do.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone at this absolutely awful time."
For 24/7 crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, contact 13YARN (13 92 76).
