Alleged murderer Caroll Hopkinson once worked at James Nash House alongside convicted criminals including killers

An alleged murderer would have treated convicted criminals – including killers – when she worked as a mental health nurse. Now, she finds herself in custody accused of murdering her husband.

Caroll Hopkinson would have treated convicted criminals – including killers – when she worked as a mental health nurse at James Nash House.

Now, she finds herself in custody accused of murdering her husband Simon, who was also a mental health nurse and working at the same centre for forensic psychiatric patients.

A mother and grandmother, Caroll Hopkinson, 58, began her career nearly 30 years ago and graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1994 before moving to Australia with her husband.

She is now, however, in custody after appearing in court on Monday charged over the alleged murder of her husband Simon Charles Hopkinson, 60.

On Sunday, Mr Hopkinson was found unresponsive by police after his wife Caroll Hopkinson, 58, had called emergency services to their Medina St home in Taperoo.

Caroll was seen by neighbours on Sunday morning dressed in a blue nightgown with what police will allege were bloodlike stains on her arms, as officers escorted her away from the alleged crime scene.

Caroll Hopkinson has worked in numerous roles as a mental health nurse across the UK and Australia. Picture: LinkedIn

Detectives arrested her at her Taperoo home on Sunday. Picture: 9 NEWS Adelaide

The scene in Taperoo. Picture Mark Brake

Caroll relocated to Australia after gaining her qualification in the UK, and was registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency on July 12 2006 – the same date as her husband.

According to social media, Ms Hopkinson had recently been working at Sonder, a non-for-profit organisation providing mental health support.

However, The Advertiser understands she had also recently worked at the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre on Grenfell St in the CBD, which is an alternative to hospital “in a time of crisis”, and deals specifically with mental health.

She had also previously worked at James Nash House – which The Advertiser understands is where Mr Hopkinson had worked before his death.

Mr Hopkinson graduated with a Diploma of Mental Health Nursing from Mid Trent College in 1991.

SA Health said it would be offering support to staff who had worked alongside both Caroll and Simon.

Simon Hopkinson. Picture: Facebook

Cleaners at the scene on Monday. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

“Our priority is on supporting our staff in the wake of this tragic situation,” an SA Health spokeswoman said.

“We have arranged for counselling and support to be provided to affected staff.

“Our thoughts remain with out staff and the loved ones involved.”

The Advertiser also understands staff at the UMHCC have been offered support from the internal Employee Assistance Program since the news broke about Caroll’s arrest.

However, SA Health did not respond to questions about whether any of Caroll’s patients would also be receiving support.

Originally published as Alleged murderer Caroll Hopkinson once worked at James Nash House alongside convicted criminals including killers