Discovery of wife killer Kevin Jewell’s body brings two-day manhunt to an end after murder of Adelaide mother Jodie Jewell

A two-day manhunt across South Australia has come to a dramatic end, with wife killer Kevin Jewell’s body found on the Yorke Peninsula.

Police near Curramulka in the area in which the body was found.Picture: Ben Clark

After almost two days, a statewide manhunt for an “armed” and “dangerous” wife killer ended with his body found in scrubland on the Yorke Peninsula.

Kevin Jewell has been on the run since Tuesday night, when he shot his wife Jodie Jewell dead in their family home at Modbury North in a brutal killing.

After Jewell murdered his wife, he fled his home and led police on a desperate search across the state amid fears the experienced camper and hunter would vanish into bush somewhere in remote South Australia, with witnesses reporting seeing him loading camping gear into his Mitsubishi Triton.

Police warned the public he was armed, dangerous and not to approach him.

“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,” Major Crime Investigation Branch boss Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.

In the hours after murdering his wife, Jewell was on the radar of more than 5000 South Australian police officers desperate to catch a killer.

Police had feared on Wednesday that Jewell could have been anywhere in the state after a significant head start on detectives.

A body believed to be wife killer Kevin Jewell’s has been found on the Yorke Peninsula after a statewide manhunt. Picture: SA Police

Jodie Jewell was killed inside her Modbury North home on Tuesday night. Picture: Supplied

Then after about 40 hours of scouring the state, police located Jewell’s body near the tiny Yorke Peninsula town of Curramulka, about 200km from Adelaide just after 11.30am Thursday.

After receiving information from a member of the public, officers found Jewell’s lifeless body about 150m from his car on a track adjacent to Brook Rd at Pine Point.

Emergency services were called and Brook Rd was blocked off, with Major Crime Investigation Branch Detectives and Forensic Response Section officers arriving at the scene on Thursday afternoon.

Police said Jewell’s death, which has left he and Ms Jewell’s 16-year-old daughter an orphan, was not being treated as suspicious and a report was being prepared for the Coroner.

The investigation into Ms Jewell’s murder was expected to continue.

The teenager on Thursday thanked supporters and police.

“Thank you to everyone who has been there the past couple of days and helped with the investigation,” she said.

“Much love.”

Jewell, 55, was last seen alive travelling north about 5km south of Port Wakefield just before 7.30pm Tuesday.

Police alleged Jewell had shot his wife with a rifle between 6pm and 6.10pm Tuesday before fleeing the family home.

Friends, who were aware of the domestic violence Ms Jewell had been subjected to throughout her marriage, feared the worst when she did not arrive for a weekly dinner and raised the alarm.

Police then attended the Jewell family home, where they found Ms Jewell with fatal gunshot wounds.

Scene at Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula where a body has been found. Picture: 7NEWS

On Wednesday night, police searched the Whyalla home of Jewell’s estranged aunt and uncle Amanda Jewell and David Jewell as the statewide manhunt intensified.

The discovery of Jewell’s body comes as tributes to continue to flow for Ms Jewell, who worked for telco giant Optus for more than 20 years and was remembered by friends and family as “beloved individual”.

Friend Adam Williams, who knew both Ms Jewell and her husband, described her murder as a “nightmare”.

“I’m sick to my stomach, my heart is heavy and my thoughts are with their daughter and friends and family who are left behind to deal with this absolute nightmare,” he wrote in a social media post condemning violence against woman.

A GoFundMe established in Jodie Jewell’s honour has raised more than $8000. Picture: Supplied

“I’m disgusted by his (Jewell) actions.

“I’m sad we didn’t realise he was having issues at home, he was very quiet about it all.

“I wish more than anything we had spoken about things before this happened.

“Things could have been so different.”

Mr Williams said Ms Jewell was “always very nice and welcoming”.

“I’m just so sad and horrified this has happened to her,” he said.

“I’m heartbroken for the whole situation.”

A GoFundMe established in Ms Jewell’s honour had raised more than $8000 of a $10,000 target as of Thursday night.

“Jodie was a beloved individual whose life was taken away through an act of senseless violence,” organiser Samantha Benson wrote.

“A loving mum daughter sister Aunty and friend, Jodie touched the hearts of those around them with their kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit.

“As we mourn their loss, we are determined to come together as a community to support the family in their time of need.

“No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to such a tragic circumstance.”