Benjamin Anthony Shuman in court charged with murder of Yatala Labour Prison cellmate Jason Douglas Wright

A Yatala prisoner who allegedly murdered his cellmate on Saturday reportedly belongs to a family that owns an iconic Adelaide tourism business.

A man accused of killing his cellmate at Yatala Labour Prison has appeared in court.

Benjamin Anthony Shuman, 33, of Oaklands Park was arrested charged with murder on Sunday after the death of his cellmate the day before.

Jason Douglas Wright, 52, was found unresponsive in the pair’s cell at 5.35pm in E-Divison on Saturday.

Paramedics tried to revive Mr Wright but he was declared dead at the scene.

Mr Shuman was removed from the prison and is currently being held under an inpatient order. He is believed to be being held in James Nash House, a closed psychiatrict facility.

During a brief hearing on Monday afternoon, a duty solicitor told Magistrate Paul Foley that he had not been able to talk to Mr Shuman and asked for a date next week for a possible bail application.

Mr Foley adjourned any bail application to next week and set a next date in October for the charge of murder.

10 News First reported on Monday night that his family owns the iconic Adelaide Popeye boats, which tour up and down the Torrens.

Benjamin Shuman is accused of murdering his cellmate Jason Douglas Wright at Yatala Labour Prison. Picture: Facebook

Mr Shuman is now in James Nash House. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Wright was in custody on an assault charge.

Court records show he was charged with assault on December 7, 2022 at Noarlunga Centre.

It is understood he missed a court appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

After being arrested on the warrant Mr Wright was remanded in custody. He was scheduled to appear in court again on July 5.

On Sunday, a police spokeswoman said the death had been declared a major crime and because Mr Wright was in custody at the time it would be subject to a mandatory coronial inquest.

Jason Wright died in his prison cell at Yatala Labour Prison.

Jason Wright, alleged murder victim.

Correctional Services Depart­ment chief executive David Brown said the two men were on remand and were classified as “medium security” inmates.

“At the time of the medical emergency, the cells were locked for the night,” Mr Brown said.

“When the incident ­occurred correctional staff and prison health staff provided immediate first aid.”

He said police and an ambulance were called immediately and the cell mate accused of the murder was “immediately secured in another area by Correctional staff”.

Mr Brown said he had been advised that police had notified the victim’s next of kin.

“It is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family,” he said.

He said support was also being offered to Correctional and nursing staff who “were confronted with a very difficult situation”.

“The prison has been unlocked and will be operating as usual (on Sunday),” he said.

“Senior management are on site to support staff and prison operations.”

He said the department would conduct its own investigation into the incident and would help SA Police with their investigation.