Doubletree by Hilton stabbing: Linda Burney consoles family of woman who died at Darwin hotel

Linda Burney has recalled the harrowing moment she consoled the family of a woman who bled to death after being allegedly stabbed outside the politician’s luxury hotel.

The federal Indigenous Australians minister says her staff tried to desperately save the 51-year-old woman’s life moments after she stumbled into the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel seeking help in Darwin on Friday night.

A man, 56, believed to be the victim’s partner has since been charged with murder.

It’s underood the woman had been in Darwin at the time to visit her her son in jail.

It’s the latest tragedy in the Northern Territory, which  is in the grips of a crime wave with carjackings, ram raids, break-ins and attacks on police rampant in and around the capital city. 

Ms Burney had been in the NT for two days when the alleged attack unfolded outside her hotel.

The minister had been staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Darwin on Friday night

‘Last night in Darwin, a woman tragically died after allegedly being stabbed outside a hotel where I was staying,’ Ms Burney said in a statement on Saturday. 

‘Together with staff from the hotel, members of my staff provided assistance to the woman and I comforted members of her family.’

The victim had run into the ground floor reception area of the hotel after allegedly being stabbed across the road on The Esplanade at 6pm on Friday, NT police said. 

Ms Burney said staff from her office and the hotel rushed to the aid of the woman who was bleeding profusely before paramedics arrived. 

The woman was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died. 

Part of The Esplanade was closed after the alleged fatal stabbing.  

‘Police and paramedics were called to the scene (pictured)  just before 6 pm after receiving information that an injured woman had entered the hotel seeking help,’ NT police said

A 56-year-old man believed to be the woman’s partner has been charged with murder after he was arrested at the scene. 

He remains in custody to appear in court on Monday. 

‘Police and paramedics were called to the scene just before 6 pm after receiving information that an injured woman had entered the hotel seeking help,’ NT police said. 

‘CCTV operators were able to direct police to the man, who was still in the area, and he was arrested without incident.’

The accused man will appear before the courts on Monday. 

‘My heartfelt condolences go out to the woman’s family and her loved ones,’ Ms Burney said. 

‘I want to thank the hotel staff, the Northern Territory Police and the paramedics who attended. 

‘As this matter is being investigated by the Northern Territory Police it would be inappropriate for me to provide any further comment at this time.’

Meanwhile, the day after the alleged stabbing 300 fed up locals took to the streets in an anti-crime rally, the NT News reported. 

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro (pictured) says more lives are impacted with each violent attack

The territory’s opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said with each violent attack more lives are impacted.

‘Their lives have changed. The city we know and love has changed. The Territory we know and love has changed,’ she said. 

It comes after the alleged fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Declan Laverty at a Darwin bottle shop last month sparked protests. 

Thousands took to the streets of Darwin calling for the Northern Territory government to take action, News Corp reported. 

The government then put in place legislative law changes on bail in a bid to stop violent crime using knives. 

So those charged with serious crimes involving certain weapons are remanded in custody until their case is heard. 

Chief Minister said the bail law changes were a strong message to the community

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the bail law changes were a strong message to the community. 

‘If you are charged with a violent offence involving a weapon, it is expected that you will be remanded in prison until your case is determined,’ Ms Fyles said.

But Ms Finocchiaro said the changes were mere ‘window dressing’ measures. 

‘Criminals have never ending second chances under Labor and they know it,’ she said.

She called for the government to give back to police power to deal with ‘drunks’ and to introduce minimum mandatory sentencing for assaults on frontline workers.