Man dies from serious injuries at Hackham West park
A man was fatally bashed just 300 metres from his own home in Adelaide’s southern suburbs as Major Crime detectives continue to examine the park where the 36-year-old died on Saturday afternoon.
SA News
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A man police believe was murdered less than 300m from his home in a southern suburbs park was involved in a serious altercation a day before his death, local residents say.
A large police presence continues to guard the park in Hackham West, off Corinth Rd, as officers prepare to conduct line searches for a weapon on Sunday.
Shaun Thomas Russell, 36, died with serious head injuries.
He was found in the street just after 3.30pm on Saturday. Major Crime detectives are leading the investigation.
People close to the man described him as “troubled” and said up to six people lived at his home, which backs onto the park.
The Advertiser understands he, and another man, were involved in an incident on Friday morning which required police intervention.
Southern District Local Service Area Detective Superintendent Yvette Clark said locals who had seen the man in the park earlier found him collapsed before they tried CPR.
“It appears the deceased man was seen in the park for an hour or two hours before he was later located deceased,” Detective Superintendent Clark said.
“There are witnesses who stated that there were two males with him, some stated he was seen with a female.”
She said it was too early in the investigation to determine how many suspects were involved.
State Emergency Service volunteers will help with the search.
Officers kept the park under lockdown on Saturday night as they doorknocked the neighbourhood and scoured the area for evidence.
Police are specifically looking for witnesses or dashcam footage which captured a man and a woman argueing on Honeypot RD at around the time of the incident.
The man is not believed to be Mr Russell but police believe that the conversation may have related to the murder.
Neighbour Denise Farrell said Mr Russell was a “gentle giant” who had a passion for building computers.
“He was like a son to me. He’d come around and have coffee with me, peel my potatoes for me,” she said.
“He was good with electrical stuff, he could fix anything.
“I’m ashamed this (has) happened, he didn’t deserve this.”
Mr Russell’s family were too distraught to comment publicly.
Police are appealing for anyone who had been in the park from 11am to 4.30pm to come forward if they have any photos and videos taken on their mobile phones or dashcam footage.
Anyone who may have information that can assist police is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or to report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au