Students react as lecturer Adam Brown charged with murder of wife

The Deakin University lecturer accused of murdering his wife left gushing comments about her on social media saying he was “privileged” to be around her.

University students have been left “in shock” after Melbourne lecturer Adam Brown was charged with murder after the alleged stabbing death of his wife in the couple’s Croydon North home over the weekend.

Deakin University media students who spoke with news.com.au say they are “sickened” by what the 40-year-old teacher is accused of doing and many are considering dropping out of the course.

“Honestly, we did not think this would happen in a million years,” said a group of students who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Adam seemed like a nice tutor, who always tended to make puns and jokes … he was liked by the students, so it was a huge shock to all of us. Especially since he always said he loves his family and stood up for human rights.

Deakin University lecturer Adam Brown allegedly killed his wife in their Croydon North home. Source: Facebook

“Looking at his charge now, it’s now left us all with unease.”

The students said Mr Brown was the unit chair for several courses at Deakin University, many of which rely heavily on videos he created.

“With this in mind, all of us desire to move on where we can study without the constant reminder of (what he is accused of),” the students said.

On social media, dozens of students are sharing their shock at the alleged crime.

“Raw & honest, I am really struggling to reconcile what I thought I knew & what has happened today,” one student wrote.

“A man accused of killing a woman is horrific and disgusts me. But when you know the man, trusted the man and learnt so much from the man it is really confronting/conflicting.”

The university lecturer faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon charged with his wife’s murder.

Adam Brown is in custody after being charged with the murder of his 35-year-old wife, the mother of his young child. Picture: Instagram

The 35-year-old woman died at the Patrick Ave property on Saturday night.

In an Instagram post that has since been unearthed, Mr Brown gushed over his wife on International Women’s Day.

“Special shout out on #InternationalWomensDay to the strong, creative, and hilarious woman who gives me the privilege of being around her every day, making me laugh, keeping me sane, and always ensuring I’m on time with everything,” he wrote.

Emergency services rushed to the couple’s home in Melbourne’s southeast after reports of an assault at the address about 10.15pm.

Deakin University lecturer Adam Brown shared photographs of himself with his wife on social media where he was a prolific user. Picture: Instagram

During a brief hearing on Monday afternoon, Mr Brown’s lawyer Nick Tehan told the court that it was his client’s first time in custody.

The police also requested the victim’s name be redacted from charge sheets released to the media.

“Family in China have been notified (of her death); however, there’s also family in Sydney,” Detective Senior Sergeant David Martin-Alcaide told the court.

“It’s more for the privacy of the family at this stage,” he said.