A 19-year-old man was discovered lifeless on a desolate road just outside Alice Springs on New Year’s Day. The deceased has been identified as a resident of Melbourne, Australia.

The grim discovery was made by a passing woman on Undoolya Rd, near Undoolya Station, around midday on January 1. Local authorities are treating the young man’s death as suspicious.

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In an effort to bring the teenager’s body back to Melbourne for his funeral, a fundraising campaign has been initiated by a family member named Nyakuoar Gatluak. According to Nyakuoar, Yiel Gatluak was a “wonderful and loving son, brother, nephew, uncle, and cousin.” He further added that Yiel had a pure heart and was always happy and kind to everyone he encountered.

To aid the cause, the fundraiser aims to gather financial support for the repatriation of Yiel’s body. The teenager’s death has led to the arrest of three individuals by the Northern Territory Police. The arrested individuals include a 20-year-old, a 21-year-old, and a teenager. They are currently in police custody and awaiting charges, which are expected to be laid “in due course,” according to NT Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst.

All three arrested suspects are residents of Alice Springs, and it is believed that they had some prior connection to the victim. However, the exact cause of Yiel’s death has not been confirmed. Although the teenager did sustain injuries, they were not of a “penetrative” nature, as stated by Wurst. Detailed information regarding the cause of death is pending, pending analysis by a forensic pathologist.

During the investigation, several items were seized from the location where Yiel’s body was discovered. Additionally, a black-colored dual-cab ute was confiscated by the police, believed to have been driven around Alice Springs on New Year’s Day. However, it remains uncertain if the three arrested individuals have any connection to the vehicle.

Assistant Commissioner Wurst expressed his condolences, referring to Yiel’s death as a “tragedy.” He emphasized the impact on the young man’s family, stating that they will never have him around for the years to come.

The investigation into Yiel’s death is ongoing, and the authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.