Search intensifies for suspected killer after wife’s body found with gunshot wound at Modbury North

Gun-toting father Kevin Jewell is still on the run after allegedly shooting dead his estranged wife Jodie in their Adelaide home, amid fears he has disappeared into the bush.

An “armed and dangerous” father is on the run after he allegedly murdered his estranged wife in their Adelaide home, amid fears he has vanished in the South Australian bush.

A statewide police manhunt was launched for Kevin Jewell, 55, after officers performing a welfare check discovered the body of Jodie Jewell at their Kelly Rd home, Modbury North, on Tuesday night.

The couple’s marital “issues” are believed to be a key focus for Major Crime and Northern CIB detectives after police said the mother, 55, had told friends she was a domestic violence victim but had never reported it to authorities.

Kevin Jewell, 55, is wanted by police. Picture: SA Police

Police were called to the house and found the body of Jodie Jewell. Picture: 7NEWS

Senior police urged the “armed and dangerous” fugitive to surrender while the couple’s daughter, 16, pleaded for help on her father’s disappearance.

In a social media post, the teenager – who visited the home on Wednesday – wrote: “Please keep a look out and contact police with any information you might have.”

Detectives believe Mrs Jewell, who lived separately downstairs in their two-storey northern suburbs home, was gunned down between 6pm and 6.10pm on Tuesday.

Mrs Jewell, whose daughter was at a dance class at the time, died at the scene with rifle injuries so catastrophic that no ambulance was called.

The crime, which left friends and neighbours shocked, is the fourth domestic-related killing in SA over the past week.

A statewide land and air search intensified on Wednesday night for Mrs Jewell’s estranged husband, who police described as an average build about 90kg, 178cm and a “scruffy appearance”.

An alert was sent to more than 5000 officers.

Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge, Detective Superintendent Des Bray, urged anyone who spotted the fugitive to immediately contact police and not approach.

Traffic cameras 5km south of Port Wakefield last captured him driving his white 2008 Mitsubishi Triton ute, registration XTN-167, north at 7.28pm on Tuesday.

A warrant was issued in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for his arrest.

He told the suspect: “You can’t undo what has been done. We’re actively looking for you and we will locate you.

“I encourage you straight away, without any delay, to engage with a solicitor and negotiate your safe surrender to police.

“We believe Kevin is armed with a rifle and ammunition and he would know that police are looking for him.

“He’s considered to be armed … dangerous and should not be approached by anybody.”

Police at the scene of the alleged murder in Modbury North. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Detectives at the scene on Wednesday morning. Picture: Dean Martin

Det Supt Bray, who described this case as “terribly sad” and any death as a tragedy, said detectives had information the suspect loved camping and gambling.

He said there was “some talk” he travelled to the state’s northern areas, the Mid North or the West Coast.

He said there was an “enormous amount of resources” devoted to catching the suspect, who liked “setting up in the bush”.

“Realistically he could be anywhere in the state,” he said. “He’s obviously dangerous because he knows he’s wanted and he knows what he’s done, and he probably doesn’t want to go to prison.”

Witnesses reported seeing the husband – who had a gun licence and stored firearms appropriately, while nothing in his background raised warnings – load camping gear including a backpack, an Esky and other bulky items from his home into ute.

Police believe Kevin Jewell is "armed and dangerous" and travelling in this Mitsubishi Triton ute. Picture: SA Police

Close-ups of Mr Jewell’s ute.

After friends raised the alarm on Tuesday night, police had no response at the family home. Police were then seen talking to daughter at her dance school, before leaving together. It is believed this occurred after the welfare check.

Det Supt Bray would not disclose where the victim was shot or how many times for “operational reasons”.

It is understood two dogs are at the rear of the house.

Officers asked neighbours if they heard any arguments or disturbances.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police immediately on 131444 or triple-0 in an emergency.