Woman, 28, found dead hours after alleged domestic violence assault

In short:

A 28-year-old woman has been found deceased at a home in Malak in Darwin's northern suburbs.

Police arrested the woman's partner at the scene over an alleged assault in the hours before she was found unresponsive.

What's next?

An autopsy has been scheduled for today and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Northern Territory Police are investigating the death of a 28-year-old woman in a house in suburban Darwin, hours after she allegedly suffered a domestic violence assault.

A crime scene has been declared at the property on Paqualin Road in Malak after officers found the woman unresponsive at the property yesterday morning.

Following a report from a neighbour, police said they attended the scene and began CPR, before paramedics "took over and the woman was declared deceased a short time later".

In a statement, an NT Police spokesperson said "the exact circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, and the cause of death is unknown".

Police declined to provide any further detail, citing an autopsy scheduled for today.

The woman's 26-year-old partner was arrested at the scene over an alleged assault on her in the hours before she was found deceased and for breaching a domestic violence order.

The spokesperson said the man was in custody and yet to be charged with any offence.

"Major Crime detectives are currently investigating the death," they said.

"A report will be prepared for the coroner."

Neighbours told the ABC that at least three children also lived at the Malak property.

History of reported domestic violence

One neighbour who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity said they had reported alleged incidences of domestic violence at the property dozens of times over multiple years.

"It's been ongoing for years, and I've been constantly calling the police and putting in reports to the Children and Families Department," they said.

"Over the years it would've been dozens of times.

"It gets to the point where you say 'Do I bother about reporting it again as it doesn't go anywhere'."

The NT has the highest rates of family and domestic violence in Australia, with a rate of intimate partner homicide seven times the national average.

NT Police and the Department of Children and Families have been contacted for comment in relation to the neighbour's allegations.

Local member for the Malak and Karama area, Brian O'Gallagher, described the death of his constituent as "an absolute tragedy".

"Our hearts and condolences go out to all the family and friends of the [alleged] victim," he said.

Mr O'Gallagher said while he could not speak further about the incident while it was under police investigation, he said the Malak area had recently seen a surge in violent crime.

"There seems to be a spate of increasing crime, particularly around Malak, a lot of that is violent crime," he said.

"There has been a hotspot around Malak at the moment."

Mr O'Gallagher is calling for a targeted police operation in the area "as soon as possible".