Everything we know about the murder of Antoinette and Steve Tozer in Rosewater
It’s the shocking deaths of a mother and son, allegedly killed in their home by a man living on their street on Friday. Here’s what we know so far about the double murder in Rosewater.
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A mother and son murdered in their Rosewater home on a “quiet” street have been remembered by their family as lovely people.
Antoinette Tozer, 76, and Steve Tozer, 55, were allegedly murdered in their home on Friday, February 2, before being found by relatives the following day.
Emergency services were called to the Rosetta St home just after 1pm following the family’s grim discovery.
A short time later a man, who had been staying at a house across the street was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
He cannot be named because of a suppression order on his identity.
Assistant Police Commissioner Graham Goodwin said it was suspected the man and the deceased pair were known to each other, but a motive remains unclear.
Antoinette Tozer
Antoinette Tozer, 76, had been living in her Rosewater home for many years and was later joined by her son Steve, 55, following the death of her husband.
Antoinette has been remembered by family as a lovely woman who cherished family.
She and her husband had two children – Steve and his sister.
“Antoinette was lovely,” Steve’s ex partner Denise Palmer said.
“We’ve had good times – good family times. They always made me feel welcome.”
The loving grandmother was remembered by her grandson Joshua Tozer, 23, as a “lovely woman”.
Steve Tozer
Steve Tozer, 55, moved to the Rosetta St address a few years ago to live with his mother following the death of his father.
The father-of-two previously worked as a spray painter but in recent years had been unemployed.
Steve was a father to Joshua, 23, and Matthew Tozer, 25, who remembered him as a “loving father” who “loved us a lot”.
Steve was in a relationship with Denise, 52, for 18 years.
Despite their separation in 2006, the couple remained close with Ms Palmer always wondering what could’ve happened.
“He’s always been in my heart … it’ll be worse now because I always wondered how he actually really did feel,” she said.
Ms Palmer said having children with Steve was a “blessing” and she “really loves” the Tozer family.
Accused murderer
A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with two counts of murder on Saturday a short time after the discovery of Antoinette and Steve’s bodies.
The man – who can’t be named due to a suppression on his identity imposed by court on Monday – was staying at a Housing Trust property on Rosetta St at the time of the murder.
The man appeared at the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday where it was revealed he was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker.
“Effectively it’s a part of the charges before the court today,” a police prosecutor said.
“It’s after the events of the allegations.”
It is understood the new charge laid against him relates to allegations he harmed an SA police officer while attempting to seize a firearm.
The Advertiser revealed on Monday the man had completed a three-month prison term on January 25 and then began living on Rosetta St at Rosewater.
The man did not make an application for bail and was remanded in custody until his next appearance in court.
Neighbours on Rosetta St have expressed concerns about the presence of anti-social behaviour in relation to the Housing Trust property since Saturday’s events.
Data released under Freedom of Information laws late last year reveals Housing Trust complaints have soared in Rosewater recording a total of 40 complaints in 2022/23 – an increase of 900 per cent since 2013/14.
Hours leading up to the discovery
A neighbour – who asked to remain anonymous – told The Advertiser: “Before going to bed around 1am I stepped into my courtyard and I heard something like an argument”.
“I could hear a male voice saying ‘no’ several times and I also heard a loud bang but that could have been firecrackers.”
Assistant Commissioner Graham Goodwin said a family member of Mrs and Mr Tozer called police just after 1pm after discovering the bodies.
“The daughter of the deceased mother and the sister of the deceased male (was) concerned,” Mr Goodwin said. “She came around with her daughter … and were confronted with the horrific scenes.”
Relatives and emotional friends went to the property and broke down in tears after speaking with police.
CCTV shows the family on the street after their loved ones were discovered.
The investigation
After the family’s gruesome discovery police attended the scene and closed off Rosetta St for several hours while Major Crime detectives investigated.
A short time later, the 43-year-old man staying at a Housing Trust property across the road was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
More than 10 police cars attended the Rosetta St home as forensic teams examined the scene.
Detectives returned to the address about 10am on Sunday and remained in the house for about two hours, before leaving with several evidence bags.
The investigation was concluded at that time and cleaners were seen at the property on Sunday afternoon.
Neighbours’ reactions
Residents of the Rosewater area near Rosetta St said they were shocked to hear of the double murder.
Charles Crossley, 67, said apart from loud music occasionally at night their street is very quiet.
“I used to work around here and I would walk past these houses at night and I could hear music, (it) was just ‘boom, boom, boom,” he said.
“This street is just so quiet and nothing like this has ever happened before.
“I think it’s disgusting, I can’t comprehend it at all, I really can’t.”
Shaji Kunjunju, 54, who lives on Rosetta St, Rosewater, said the street was usually quiet.
“We are pretty upset and scared to live here now,” he said.
Mr Kunjunju said he wasn’t close to Steve and Antoinette Tozer but always found them friendly.
“They are friendly and nice people I think,” he said.
Mr Kunjunju said he had seen the man who was arrested on Saturday a few times.
“In my mind I saw him but I don’t know how many times,” he said.
Homeowner Anna Das, 34, moved to Rosewater a year ago with her partner and mother after living in Prospect, where she said “nothing like this had ever happened before”.
After Saturday’s events, which occurred just 100m from her home, she told The Advertiser they would be double-checking the roller-shutters every night before going to bed.
“My family is really worried to go out now, especially at night,” Ms Das said, adding that she planned to install CCTV cameras.
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