In 1934, Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda walked free from Darwin's Fannie Bay Gaol after being acquitted of murdering Northern Territory police officer Albert McColl. His release marked a significant moment in Australia's colonial history, as he became the first Indigenous person to have his case heard in the High Court. The court deemed his trial a "substantial and grave injustice," but within 24 hours of his release, Dhakiyarr vanished, leading to suspicions that police officers may have taken revenge for their fallen comrade.

Nearly 90 years later, Dhakiyarr's descendants are urging the Northern Territory government to address this historic injustice. An investigation has recently provided new insights into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. In March, NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage released findings on the case without conducting an inquest, stating that Dhakiyarr was not "in custody" at the time of his disappearance. While she acknowledged a motive for police to harm him, she found no reliable evidence to support that any officers acted on it.

The coroner's report noted that Albert McColl was killed by Dhakiyarr in defense of his wives, according to cultural law. However, the lack of living witnesses, forensic evidence, or a body has made it difficult to establish the facts surrounding Dhakiyarr's fate. The report described the investigation as having deficiencies, with Acting Sergeant Glen Chatto admitting that without a name, there was little more he could do.

Historian Teg Egan, who researched the case for his book "Justice All Their Own," revealed that a witness had claimed to overhear a police officer confessing to Dhakiyarr's murder. The witness stated that the officer and two others took Dhakiyarr to Darwin Harbour and shot him. Egan did not disclose the officer's name in his book, as the witness passed away before she could provide a statutory declaration.

Dhakiyarr's family, particularly his grandson Dhukal Wirrpanda, believes that Dhakiyarr was shot and hidden in Darwin. "If he's in Darwin just show me please," Dhukal said, expressing his determination to find his grandfather's remains. The family is calling for a renewed investigation into the case, emphasizing the need for justice and closure.

The community of Dhuruputjpi, where Dhakiyarr was a respected leader, is now largely abandoned. Dhukal and another grandson, Djambawa Marawili, are advocating for the establishment of a makarrata and reconciliation center in Dhakiyarr's name. They hope this center will allow their family to share their cultural knowledge and foster understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Filmmaker Tom Murray, who directed the documentary "Dhakiyarr vs The King," has remained in contact with Dhakiyarr's family. He criticized the coroner's finding that Dhakiyarr was not in custody at the time of his disappearance, arguing that it fails to provide the justice that the family seeks. Murray stated, "What people have been hungering for is justice, and what the coroner's report didn't do is give people enough that felt just."

As the search for answers continues, Dhakiyarr's descendants remain hopeful that the Northern Territory government will take action to address the unresolved mystery of his disappearance.