Community in shock as man charged with woman’s murder at Morphett Vale
A man charged over the murder of a mother of five in a quiet southern suburbs street bills himself as a professional arm wrestler.
Police & Courts
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A man who bills himself online as a professional arm wrestler has been charged over the alleged murder of a mother of five at Morphett Vale that has left neighbours on the quiet street shocked.
Clifford Aurthor Neumann, 40, of Morphett Vale, faced the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon by video link.
He is charged with having murdered a woman, whose identity has been suppressed, at Wark Court on Sunday evening.
On his social media accounts, Mr Neumann has posted several photos of himself flexing his biceps and lists his occupation as “professional arm wrestler”.
Emergency services were called to Wark Court just after 7pm on Sunday, after reports that a person was unresponsive inside a home.
When police arrived they found a 39-year-old Fleurieu Peninsula woman dead at the scene.
Mr Neumann, who police said was known to the woman, was arrested at the home and charged with murder.
In court on Monday, prosecutors asked the name of the alleged victim be suppressed in order to prevent her five children suffering further undue harm.
They said that order was necessary while care arrangements were made for the children and family members were informed of the incident.
They asked the case be adjourned for 12 months, saying there was “quite some outstanding evidence” ranging from forensics and DNA to clothing analysis, mobile phone records and witness statements.
Counsel for Mr Neumann said that delay was far too long given their client would not be seeking release on bail.
The court agreed, remanding Mr Neumann in custody to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in May.
Wark Court has been busy since 7pm on Sunday with a neighbour reporting as many as nine police vehicles at one point, but only one ambulance.
There were also some police officers that stayed overnight to continue their investigation.
The two-storey house where the woman was found dead was closed off with police crime scene tape, as detectives continued their investigation.
Approximately fourteen hours later, just after 9am, detectives and other police officers left the crime scene.
There were approximately five people that came out of the house at 9.11am on Monday.
Detectives carried paper bags and other containers with evidence collected from the house.
A Wark Court resident said she had seen the alleged murderer and the suspected victim “kissing and hugging” only a couple of weeks back.
“It’s shocking what has happened and the fact that it has happened so close to my house, and between the people I see so frequently,” she said.
“Honestly, when I saw the police here I didn’t think it was domestic violence or anything like that – he was just so quiet.
“But when I saw police arresting him I saw he was fine and he looked calm, wasn’t making a scene, not arguing or anything. He just had his hands behind his back.”
On Monday afternoon, detectives returned with professional cleaners who entered the house.
They were wearing full protective uniforms and started removing plastic bags containing unidentified items from the house.
A silver Subaru, believed to be Mr Neumann’s, was earlier towed away by police.
A black Holden parked on the street, which residents recognised as belonging to the victim, was also wrapped in police tape.
Police searched inside the car and recovered a pink handbag, a child seat, milk bottle and toys.
Another neighbour said she was shocked by the woman’s death.
The neighbour, who asked for her name not to be published, said she saw the arrest.
“At like seven o’clock last night the police just swarmed the street,” she said.
“And we watched him get arrested. We could see him come out.
“To be honest, it’s a massive shock because like, it’s quiet.
“They (the man) just kept to themselves. You’d see him walk his dog everyday, he’d smile, he’d say ‘hello’.”
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online or phone 1800 333 000 – you can remain anonymous.
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