Adelaide doctor Michael Yung dies after alleged horror home invasion inside his Gilberton home

A highly-regarded Adelaide doctor has died of his injuries after an alleged unprovoked break-in attack at his luxury blue-chip suburb home.

Police at the scene of the alleged murder. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Tributes have been paid to a heroic Adelaide doctor and a “great South Australian” who died after an alleged horror home invasion in a blue-chip suburb.

Father-of-two Dr Michael Yung, 61, succumbed to catastrophic injuries, including being stabbed, on Tuesday afternoon after the alleged attack inside his $2m James St, Gilberton home early on Monday.

Premier Peter Malinauskas led tributes to the former head of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital pediatric intensive care medical unit who practised for almost 40 years.

SA Health bosses said the “popular, respected and integral clinician”, who died in hospital surrounded by his family and former child intensive care colleagues at his bedside, “selflessly dedicated” himself to treating some of the state’s sickest, and most vulnerable, children.

Staff have been offered counselling while condolence books will be supplied.

Dr Michael Yung, who is the former head of the WCH's ICU, has died following a horror home invasion. Picture: WCH

A detective outside Dr Michael Yung’s Gilberton home on Tuesday. Picture: Mark Brake

He was also involved in a campaign to have cardiac services at the hospital.

Friends also paid tribute to the “typical Aussie bloke”, who loved the Hawthorn Football club and was a passionate cricket follower.

“He had such a laconic sense of humour – he would say why would he join a club that was willing to have him as a member,” a friend said.

His death, which has stunned the country’s medical community, has been declared a major crime.

It is understood the eminent intensive-care pediatrician, who was also a senior WCH consultant, suffered traumatic head injuries, including bleeding on the brain, as well as chest and bowel wounds.

He is also believed to have been stabbed in the abdomen.

Sources claimed that during the confrontation inside his home, he also then went through a glass door.

Police said he was found with “life threatening” injuries at his home of 21 years.

Despite their best efforts, senior Royal Adelaide Hospital doctors had concluded that he had “non-survivable” injuries.

Dr Yung’s family, including his two adult sons, who were educated at St Peter’s College – located near the family home – sister and brother, made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support machine in the RAH’s intensive care unit.

He had been in a critical condition for the past two days in an induced coma after emergency surgery.

It is understood tearful nurses from the WCH pediatric intensive care unit were among his last visitors while he was on life support.

His devastated relatives, some of whom made mercy flights from interstate and overseas, are understood have granted his wish to donate his organs.

“He was a strong believer in organ donation,” one close friend said. “He had advised dozens and dozens of families over the years about the benefits of donating organs.”

His youngest son flew in from a Thailand holiday on Monday night.

Dr Yung, a keen runner, was a passionate campaigner for Indigenous health, which included developing an Aboriginal medical student scholarship.

His passion, which friends say took him to “far flung places” including Alice Springs in the NT and Townsville in Queensland, continued his late wife’s work.

Kathryn Browne-Yung, herself an eminent health policy expert, mysteriously died in her sleep in March 2020.

Dr Yung’s son, 30, who was inside the family home of 21 years, was not hurt during the attack.

Detectives say he was an innocent witness.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday night said it was a terrible tragedy.

“Dr Michael Yung was a great South Australian who dedicated his life to helping children in their hour of need, when they were their sickest,” he said.

“My thoughts are with Dr Yung’s family, friends and colleagues. For someone who dedicated his life to helping others to become the victim of such a confronting crime is deeply disturbing.

“I encourage anyone with information which may assist with the investigation to contact (SA Police).

“The State Government stands ready to provide any additional resources needed to assist in the investigation, should they be required.”

Health Minister Chris Picton told The Advertiser it was a sad day that left the “entire SA Health family in shock and grief.”

“Michael was an outstanding doctor who dedicated his life to h­elping others including caring for some of the sickest and most vulnerable children of our state,” he said.

“We are incredibly grateful for his contribution to South Australian families during their hardest times.

“Overnight I have heard from some of those families he helped who are distraught with the news.”

Mr Picton said the many children whose lives Dr Yung saved will be his enduring legacy.

Major Crime Investigation Branch boss Detective Superintendent Des Bray said Operation Mandrake was investigating a “crime series” in the day’s before Dr Yung was attacked. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

In an all-staff tribute titled “vale Dr Michael Yung”, Mr Picton and his department boss Dr Robyn Lawrence, also paid their respects.

“As many of you would already be aware, colleague, mentor and friend to many of us, Dr Michael Yung has passed away earlier today at the Royal Adelaide Hospital,” they said.

“On behalf of the entire SA Health community we express our deepest condolences to Dr Yung’s family and loved ones.

“Dr Yung was a popular, respected and integral clinician, selflessly dedicating himself to serving some of the sickest and most vulnerable patients at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

“He served as the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit Head for over many years.

“It is in these difficult times we come together in support of each other and we express our deepest sympathies to the Women’s and Children’s Health Network community – where the loss of Dr Yung will be deeply felt.

“We would also like to thank our colleagues at the Royal Adelaide Hospital for their compassionate care for Dr Yung.

“All SA Health staff can access support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

“In lieu of flowers, the family have asked that donations be made to the Kathryn Browne-Yung Scholarship Fund, which Dr Yung set up in his late wife’s honour.”

Acting Women’s and Children’s Network acting chief executive officer, Rebecca Graham, said he died “surrounded by his family”.

“Dr Yung will also be greatly missed by the many families he has supported through some of the most difficult times in their lives and my heart goes out to them also,” she said.

A youth gang taskforce was probing whether a crime spree in some of Adelaide’s wealthiest suburbs was linked to the alleged brutal murder, but this was ruled out after the arrest of a man and woman over the incident.