Murder charges laid over death of Yuendumu pool supervisor Rick Berry
An 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with murdering a swimming coach whose ute was found burnt out in a remote area of the Northern Territory last week.
Rick Berry's car was discovered 120 kilometres south-east of his home in Yuendumu, sparking a search by police and community members.
Senior Sergeant Tony Henrys said police received a report of a burn-out dual cab ute just before midday on Thursday.
The car was about 20 kilometres east of Tilmouth Well.
"That vehicle was identified as belonging to Mr Berry." he said.
"Inquiries were undertaken then to locate Mr Berry and other people in the community also went looking for him."
Police later that day found Mr Berry's body at his home in the Yuendumu community, which is about 300 kilometres north west of Alice Springs .
Forensic experts flew from Darwin and undertook what police described as "blood pattern analysis" in the home.
Mr Berry, 53, had worked for the Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation as manager of the local swimming pool since 2010.
A Yuendumu resident described Mr Berry as "one of the warmest-hearted people, especially when it came to dealing with youth, that we've ever come across, he would give you the shirt off his back".
Mr Berry had previously taught swimming at Melbourne's Scotch College.
The two males have also been charged with arson, aggravated unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing and are due to appear in the Alice Springs Court today.
