NT Police is investigating a “suspicious death” in the remote community of Alpurrurulam near the Queensland border involving a teen girl who attended the local clinic early Monday morning after reportedly being physically assaulted.

Police said they received the report of the girl around 5:30am Monday and have since sent detectives from Crime Command and Forensics to the community, about 600kms southeast of Tennant Creek and 17 kms from the Queensland border.

Police initially reported the teen was a woman, but later corrected the facts, adding she suffered cardiac arrest upon arrival at the health clinic and later died.

NT Police Acting Commander Mark Grieve said police believed the girl primarily resided in Queensland near Mount Isa, but has been “quite transient between here and there”.

Act Cmdr Grieve also said a 26-year-old man police believe was in a relationship with the teen is in custody and assisting police with enquiries.

He added police do not believe the girl’s death is linked to recent unrest in the remote community. While the community in the Barkly Regional Council is a dry community, council recently reported large quantities of illegal alcohol being transported to Alpurrurulam from Queensland.

Member for Gwoja Chansey Paech issued a statement to say he was “deeply saddened to hear reports this morning of a tragic loss of life in Alpurrurulam”, which is in his electorate.

“[This is] a community that has been desperately calling out for more help, resources and support in recent months,” he said.

“My thoughts are with the family, loved ones and the entire community at this difficult time.

“But serious questions need to be asked about what is being done to support this community and respond to the concerns residents have been raising.”

The community does not have a police station.