Family pays tribute to young nursing student, as man faces court charged with her Outback murder

The family of Jasmeen Kaur, found in a shallow Outback grave, have paid tribute to the woman who was “everything” to them.

Jasmeen Kaur’s family is in mourning after her body was discovered in the Flinders Ranges. Picture: Supplied by Family

Jasmeen Kaur came to Adelaide from India at the age of 18 to forge a new life as a nurse and continue her passion for caring for others. Today, her family were grieving for the 21-year-old student and aged-care worker, whose body was found in a shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges, near Wilpena Pound, on Monday.

A 20-year-old Kurralta Park man, whose identity has been suppressed, faced Port Augusta Magistrates Court for the first time yesterday afternoon, accused of murdering Ms Kaur and burying her body in the Outback.

Her family described her as the rock of their household with a “stress-busting” smile.

Ms Kaur was in her final year of studying to be a registered nurse and had plans to visit her mother in India next year.

She lived at Flinders Park with her uncle and aunty, Maninder and Raman Kharoud, and cousin Ramanpreet, with whom she shared a bedroom.

Ramanpreet said Ms Kaur was “everything” to her.

“She played so many roles in my life,” she said.

Jasmeen Kaur. Picture: Supplied by Family

Jasmeen Kaur. Picture: SA Police

“She cared for me like a mum and a sister. She was the most helpful person. Her smile was my stress-buster.”

Mr Kharoud said he “felt like I lost my own kid, my daughter”.

“We don’t have kids right now but she is so special,” Mr Kharoud said.

“She was everything in this house. She did everything – the groceries, work at home.

“If you called her, she would come. Even if she was doing something important, she’d come in a second for you.”

Ms Kharoud said her niece was never seen with a sad face and was always willing to help anyone.

“She’d cancel her jobs to look after others,” she said.

“We have families back home … but here we are a family, so now we feel like we’ve lost a very bright and very kind child.”

She said Ms Kaur had decided to work at Southern Cross Care’s Bucklands nursing home, at North Plympton, where she became “so close” to residents because it fed her desire to help others.

Major Crime detectives investigate the shallow grave in the Flinders Ranges north of Hawker. Picture: SA Police

Mr and Ms Kharoud both said they felt “incomplete” without Ms Kaur, and they were considering moving out of their home because it did not feel whole without her.

Southern Cross Care chief executive David Moran paid tribute to Ms Kaur as a “cherished member” of staff, who was “always being the first to welcome new members of the team and always having a smile”.

“Jasmeen was a beautiful soul and was always so kind and sweet to residents,” Mr Moran said.

“She will be sorely missed. This tragic news comes as a shock to our community particularly Bucklands Residential Care staff, residents and their families, some of whom formed a close bond with Jasmeen during her time with us.

“Our hearts ache for Jasmeen’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this incredibly difficult time.”

Friends have also described Ms Kaur as a hardworking, amazing woman who helped everyone.

In court, Magistrate Gregory Fisher suppressed the identity of the accused – who appeared via video link dressed in a white gown and handcuffed to the wall – for 30 days.

Police argued revealing the man’s identity could hinder the ongoing investigation.

The man, who did not apply for bail, and Ms Kaur were known to each other.

Police arrive at the Port Augusta Magistrates court where a 20-year-old Kurralta Park man was due to appear on murder charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Court documents obtained by The Advertiser show police allege the man murdered Ms Kaur some time between last Thursday and Monday “at Parachilna or other places”.

Her body was found in a shallow grave at Moralana Creek, about 40km north of Hawker.

Parachilna is about 60km north of that location.

It remains unclear exactly where Ms Kaur was killed.

Police excavated the grave on Monday.

When asking for his identity to be suppressed, a police prosecutor told Mr Fisher: “We are not exactly sure where crime scenes might be involved.

“The defendant had travelled from Adelaide to a location north of Hawker, where the body was located, and en route he must necessarily have stopped at either a service station or toilet or somewhere along the way,” she added.

“Investigations into those things are crucial to determine timelines and gather further evidence.”

The man was remanded in custody to face court again in December.