Kylee Butterick, mother of alleged SA murder victim William Holdback, is experienced dental expert focused on helping others

The Adelaide dental industry figure laid eyes on the man accused of killing her son for the first time on Monday.

The mother of alleged murder victim William Holdback is a senior Adelaide dental industry figure with a passion for learning and helping others.

Late on Monday, Kylee Butterick saw her son’s alleged killer – Liam Slann, 27 – in the Adelaide Magistrates Court for the first time, following his arrest.

Mr Slann has yet to plead to a charge of murdering Mr Holdback, 21, in an industrial area at Welland on April 10.

Ms Butterick, who was supported in court by her partner and a large contingent of family and friends, is a dental implantology specialist at Dentsply Sirona.

Kylee Butterick. Picture: Facebook.

William Holdback. Picture: Supplied

She is also the owner of Dencast, a dental recruitment agency that provides staff to surgeries both for fixed periods of time and on short notice.

It is understood her work focuses on dental implants and repair work for people who have suffered tooth loss or damage as a result of a variety of factors, including trauma.

On her LinkedIn, Ms Butterick says she has “a passion for the dental industry and over 30 years of discovery within the scope of surgical, training, and digital solutions”.

“I’ve had the fortune of working alongside the best surgeons in the country, how could I not be enthused – I love what I do,” her profile says.

“My motto is ‘always learning’ and the yearning for knowledge has never left me.”

Ms Butterick, second from left, with family and friends including William Holdback, front right, at Christmas in 2022. Picture: Facebook.

On Tuesday, Mr Holdback’s family declined to comment about the case, which is still ongoing.

Ms Butterick had said, outside court on Monday, that the family had been advised not to comment by SA Police while inquiries continue.

“We are just so devastated that we’ve lost the most beautiful boy, William … we’re just so sad … everyone is so sad,” she said at the time.

“I would really like to thank SA Police for being so quick and also all you media for being so respectful to me, thank you.

“We have been advised not to comment because the other (alleged) perpetrator is still not caught – well, not caught yet.

“When that happens, we won’t be happy but we will be a little bit more satisfied.”