Family mourns Whyalla man as police probe mystery roadside death

A Whyalla dad with “a heart of gold” has been mourned by loved ones, after he was found collapsed on a road near a school in an “unexplained” death.

Kerry Walden, 49, was found unresponsive near a Whyalla school in an unexplained death now under police investigation. Picture: Facebook/Kerry Walden

A Whyalla dad with “a heart of gold” has been mourned by loved ones after he was found slumped near a school on Thursday, in an unexplained death now under police investigation.

Father of four Kerry Walden, 49, was discovered collapsed on the ground near a secondary college on Russell St at Whyalla Norrie just after 4am.

Police cordoned off the area for most of the day as detectives worked to piece together the circumstances surrounding his death. A report is being prepared for the Coroner.

DEVELOPING: Mystery surrounds the death of a 49-year-old man found slumped near a school oval in Whyalla. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/EuGBvgxl5g

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) July 3, 2025

His cousin, Melinda Heal, posted a tribute in response to the shock news.

“R.I.P. cousin Kerry Walden sending my condolences and hugs to all his children and to my Uncle David and his brothers and sisters,” she wrote in an online tribute.

His family also released a statement to 9News which said: “He was an old soul with a heart of gold. Gone too soon but forever remembered by all who knew him.”

At this stage, police are treating his death as unexplained.

Detectives are also investigating whether there may be any links to a suspicious car fire reported earlier that morning on Nicolson Ave not far from where Mr Walden was found.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.