John Charles Frederick Cox, 60, identified as alleged Cowandilla murder victim

The man police say was murdered at a home in Adelaide’s west earlier this week has been identified.

The man police say was murdered at a home in Adelaide’s west earlier this week has been identified as 60-year-old John Cox.

Police were called to a home on Harley Rd in Cowandilla early on Tuesday morning after a string of nearby business break-ins led them to the scene.

Officers were first called to a series of alarm activations at Torrensville businesses on Henley Beach Rd about 12.30am Tuesday where they found several businesses had been broken into with windows smashed.

One of the businesses that police are treating as a crime scene. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Another of the businesses that police are treating as a crime scene. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

At the scene, they located 32-year-old Kristopher Robert Steele. Police subsequently attended the Harley Rd home.

Upon arriving at the address, they found the body of John Charles Frederick Cox.

Police said both Mr Steele and Mr Cox were residents at the address and were known to each other.

Harley Rd was blocked off later that morning as a large police presence at the scene began doorknocking neighbouring homes.

Police and detectives are seen leaving with evidence. Picture: RoyVPhotography

The home where police say they found the body of 60-year-old John Cox. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Martin

Mr Steele has since been charged with murder, with court documents revealing the alleged victim’s identity.

During a brief court hearing on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Steele appeared via video link from his hospital bed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital – where he was taken with a leg injury following his arrest.

He made no application for bail, however his lawyer asked his client be remanded under a mental health order – flagging a mental health incompetence defence.

He will return to court on the murder charge in March.