A man extradited from Melbourne has been charged with murdering a Sudanese teenager whose body was found outside Alice Springs on New Year's Day.
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Koang Wuordol, 22, was arrested in Victoria and extradited to the Northern Territory on Monday following a two-week investigation by police.
NT Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said police had been tracking Wuordol's movements for several days.
"We knew when he travelled and where he travelled and how he made it to Melbourne," he told reporters in Darwin.
Two others, Guandong Lual Gatl Guandong, 22, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have also been charged with accessory to murder after the fact.
The pair were in police custody for 144 hours without a charge, with the NT being the only jurisdiction allowing police to hold suspects for more than 48 hours pre-charge.
The body of 19-year-old Yiel Gatluak was found by a driver on a remote road near Undoolya Station at midday on January 1.
Mr Wurst said the victim and accused trio were known to each other but police were still investigating if weapons were used.
"The forensic pathologist has advised us that the cause of death relates to blunt force trauma," he told reporters in Darwin on Monday.
"There aren't any penetrative wounds on the deceased.
"All items that were seized from the crime scene are being examined."
A fourth suspect held by police over several days was released without charge over the weekend and police say there is no risk to the public.
Wuordol appeared in Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday where his matter was adjourned until March 7.
Guandong and the 17-year-old were both refused bail and are set to reappear in court March 7 and February 29 respectively.
Investigations into the death are ongoing.
Australian Associated Press
