Taperoo neighbours’ disbelief at murder charge after death of Simon ‘Hoppo’ Hopkinson

The couple at the centre of a murder investigation in Adelaide’s northwest have been described by shocked neighbours as “kind and intelligent”, often spotted holding hands together.

• Everything we know about Taperoo death

The husband and wife at the centre of a murder probe at Taperoo, in Adelaide’s northwest, have been described by neighbours as a “kind and intelligent” couple who were “lovely together”.

The neighbour said she was “quite fond” of the wife – Caroll Hopkinson – and had bonded over a mutual love of dogs.

She said she had never heard any arguments or disturbances from her neighbours – Caroll and Simon “Hoppo” Hopkinson – and was shocked with the news something had happened.

“She was kind … they were both intelligent people,” she said.

“They were lovely together, I’d see them go out together and see them holding hands I would think that’s so great.”

On what would have normally been a quiet Sunday morning, residents in Adelaide’s northwest instead woke to find their street barricaded and filled with emergency services vehicles.

Simon and Caroll have been described by neighbours as a “kind and intelligent” couple. Picture: Facebook

Neighbours on Medina St in Taperoo were left standing in shock as news Mr Hopkinson’s death was revealed.

Caroll, 58, was seen dressed in a blue nightgown with what police will allege were blood-like stains on her arms, as officers escorted her away from the alleged crime scene.

She said the couple’s dogs were still in the yard but had seen a family member at the home yesterday so expected they would be looked after or picked up.

Today, prosecutors will ­allege that Caroll murdered her 60-year-old partner before calling emergency services to the scene herself.

Cleaners converged on the home on Monday morning as police also returned to the scene briefly – apparently to hand over keys.

Another neighbour, Matt Carr told The Advertiser police were in the street until about 10.30pm on Sunday night.

He said their has been no activity at the home since police left last night.

Simon Hopkinson was allegedly killed at his Taperoo home.

Mr Carr said the couple “largely kept to themselves” and he never saw visitors come or go from the home.

He said he would often run into Mr Hopinkson walk his three dogs.

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said she’d never had any issues with the older couple during her year living across the street from them.

“They seemed really lovely, I didn’t speak to them much but my son knew them better,” she said.

“They’ve got a whole heap of firewood, and (my son) took a wheelbarrow over and helped them out. Simon gave him $20 to help him, so he seemed really nice.

“We got up at about 7.30am, (my son) came to play outside and an hour later we saw a paddy wagon pull up. Someone ran inside and it all unfolded from there.

“Caroll came out in handcuffs, and her hands were wrapped in bags.

“She looked pretty nonchalant really, didn’t look particularly bothered. Maybe she was in shock.”

She said the pair were both psychiatric nurses, and Caroll’s young granddaughter was often there visiting.

According to her LinkedIn profile on the web, Caroll has been a mental health nurse for over 20 years – starting her ­career in the UK before moving to Australia.

Detectives arrest Caroll at Medina St, Taperoo, after a body was found at the address. Picture: 9NEWS Adelaide

SA Police and ambulance crews were called to the home at 8.40am, with detectives from the Western Districts and Crime Scene Investigations officers at the home until late into the afternoon.

The street remained cordoned off throughout the day, but at a noon press conference Inspector Christie Matthews said police were not searching for anyone else over the matter.

“We understand the female at the home contacted emergency services,” Inspector Matthews said.

Police are yet to confirm the cause of death, but have not ruled out the use of weapons.

When asked if the incident could be domestic violence related, Inspector Matthews would only say it was still under investigation.

Until now, other neighbours said the only trouble on the street might have come from some young hoon drivers.

Caroll and her husband Simon were both psychiatric nurses. Picture: LinkedIn

Simon ‘Hoppo’ Hopkinson. Picture: Facebook

Kyla Vermuelen, who has lived on Medina St for 14 years, said she’d heard a “bang that was like a rattle on a fence” the night before police made the discovery.

“I’m pretty shocked … it was quite sad,” she said. “I’ve been here 14 years and it’s been a peaceful street.”

Caroll, a mother and grandmother, also runs a cat boarding business out of the home she shared with Simon and their pets.

“I’m surprised, because they seemed to be a happy couple. You would see them out walking the dogs,” Ms Vermuelen said.

Another neighbour said it was the last thing she expected to wake and find on an otherwise quiet weekend.

“I never suspected this from the two of them. I never really saw them together, they were kind of separate.

“But I would see Caroll go out with her girlfriends from time to time.”

Forensic crime investigators at the scene. Picture: Mark Brake

The neighbour said Simon and Caroll had dogs and cats at home, and that the “dogs would miss him”.

“That’s for sure. They would get walked every day,” the neighbour said.

“It definitely makes you worried.”

Some people in the area told The Advertiser they’d heard a loud “bang” noise overnight, with another neighbour saying her son had “heard a loud ping” that morning.

At 4.30pm on Sunday, police announced they had charged a woman with murder and had refused her police bail. She is scheduled to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

Anyone with any information about the circumstances has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.