Man arrested over the murder of a woman at Colonnades Shopping Centre
THE man who found a dying mother-of-two lying in a pool of blood outside a shopping centre in Adelaide's south says he's sorry he couldn't do more to save her. Another man has faced court over the murder, where he did not apply for bail.
THE man who found a dying mother-of-two lying in a pool of blood outside a shopping centre in Adelaide's southern suburbs says he's sorry he couldn't do more to save her.
Paramedics were called to the Colonnades Shopping Centre in Noarlunga Centre just after 12am on Thursday, where the woman, from Ethelton, died at the scene from severe head injuries.
Police arrested a 20-year-old man of no fixed address nearby and charged him with murder. He did not resist arrest and has appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court, where there was no bail application.
Police believe the attack was random.
Chris Graham, 43, of Christie Downs, was on his bicycle and had planned to withdraw cash from the ATM when he saw the woman lying face-down.
"At first I didn't know if it was a man or a woman, or if it was a set up ... when I saw the blood I realised it was pretty serious," he said.
"I rolled her over and tried to stop the bleeding but it was no use really."
Mr Graham started CPR after calling the ambulance and police.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more. I've got a child myself and I couldn't contemplate that happening to her," he said.
"I thought, 'if I had been here 15 minutes earlier', but I can't think like that."
When asked about his heroic actions, he said: "Anyone could have done it. I did what I could. It's just wrong place, wrong time."
He said the victim was in a big pool of blood and her head injuries were "horrific" to the point that her face was unrecognisable.
When officers arrived shortly after, they used Mr Graham's shirt to stop the bleeding while the good Samaritan continued chest compressions.
"I find it hard to believe they (the suspect and victim) are not related in any way with the hate and anger that cause that sort of injury," he said.
"When they (police) brought him in handcuffs, he was quite calm, subdued - it was surreal really.
"It's sad someone had so little respect for someone's life."
He described the suspect's actions as "gutless".
The alleged murderer faced court just before 4pm on Thursday, still dressed in a white forensic jumpsuit.
He showed no reaction as his lawyer told the court there would be no application for bail.
SA Police sought, and were granted, suppression orders over the identities of both the man and his alleged victim.
They told the court investigators needed time to locate and speak to potential witnesses “in isolation”, without influence from news reports or social media posts.
They said those investigations would help discern the movements of the both the alleged murderer and victim before the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said the nature of the head injuries were severe and quite significant but no weapons were used.
"This murder of a mother is shocking and tragic, our thoughts are with the family," he said.
"This is a tragedy where a mother-of-two was murdered in our community."
"We are currently looking at the motive, however at this stage both parties are not known to each other and we're not certain of what the motive is."
He has ruled out robbery but has sourced CCTV from the area.
"It is still subject to the investigation why she was here," Det Chief Insp Fitzgerald said.
"Police believe this man was hanging around the Noarlunga Centre from about 7pm last night.
"He was wearing a dark hoodie and shorts, if anyone has seen that person to contact CrimeStoppers."
About a dozen officers cordoned off a carpark on the northwest end of the shopping centre while crime scene investigators worked through the night, scouring the area for evidence.
Evidence was bagged away and photographs were taken.
Emily Doran said she did not feel safe walking at night around the shopping centre.
“You heard a mother being murdered for no reason, that’s terrible, it’s horrifying,” she said.
“I wasn’t really surprised to be honest, people make jokes about Colonnades all the time because it’s not really safe. Security do what they can.”
Shopper and mother Deborah said the violent, random incident has left her shaken.
“I think it’s absolutely disgusting and I feel sorry for the family and the kids because they have to grow up without a mommy,” she said.
“As soon as the sun goes down, I don’t come here (to Colonnades) at all.”
Local resident Elizabeth said the murder made her nervous.
"I know bad things go on around here but not as bad as a murder,” she said.
“I think they need to have more patrols ... or someone around all the time to keep an eye on things.”
The investigation is continuing and police ask anyone who was in the vicinity of Colonnades last night or who has any information that may assist the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.