Police identify Aaron Stahlhut as man killed on North Adelaide walking path

A “kind, generous” father, who was a senior executive and former high-ranking public servant, has been named as the man killed on his morning walk through North Adelaide.

• Nth Adelaide walker’s final moments

The man left for dead on a North Adelaide walking path has been identified as Aaron Stahlhut, as tributes are laid for the “kind, generous” man.

The 54-year-old, from Marden, was found unresponsive when police responded to the reports of a man collapsed on a walking path within Brougham Gardens and was rushed to hospital, where he died shortly later.

Police have since arrested a 20-year-old North Adelaide man and charged him with murder.

He is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

A woman who described Mr Stahlhut as her “best friend”, arrived at the scene to lay flowers on Monday morning, about 8.40am.

Aaron Stahlhut has been identified by SA Police as the man allegedly murdered in North Adelaide. Picture: SAPOL

Aaron Stahlhut was found unresponsive in Brougham Gardens, North Adelaide, and later died in hospital. Picture: LinkedIn

Flowers left in Brougham Gardens, North Adelaide, where Aaron Stahlhut was allegedly murdered. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

She described him as a loving father, a “kind, generous man” and an NRL fan.

It is understood Mr Stahlhut is survived by a teenage daughter.

“She was the apple of his eyes,” the woman said.

Speaking of the death, the woman said it was a “shock”.

“It doesn’t make sense,” she said.

Police, Detectives and SES members at Brougham Gardens, Brougham Place, on Sunday. Picture: Emma Brasier

Police at the scene in North Adelaide on Sunday. Picture: Isabel McMillan

The Advertiser understands Mr Stahlhut had a management role at Hewlett Packard, after previously holding senior positions within the public service.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said is was a “terrible loss of life that occurs under extremely concerning circumstances”.

“It is horrific,” he said.

“My first and only thoughts at this time are with the deceased’s family and friends.

“Murders are rare in South Australia - we don’t see them here that often - so this is terribly disconcerting.’

He said the fact the incident had happened in the parklands on a Sunday morning was unsettling and praised police for their “swift” work.

A former colleague of Mr Stahlhut remembered him as someone who was “tough but sweet”.

The colleague, who wished to remain anonymous, said she worked with Mr Stahlhut in the public service, often having lunch with him.

“He was a toughy,” she told The Advertiser.

“He was someone who overcame every challenge.

“He never complained about anything.

“It’s devastating.”

It is understood the morning walk was a route Mr Stahlhut would often take, frequently stopping for a coffee at Bakery on O’Connell on the way.

On Monday morning, the scene of the alleged murder was much quieter than Sunday’s multi-service investigation efforts.

The only evidence of the crime were a few tattered streams of police tape.

Police, Detectives and SES members at Brougham Gardens on Sunday. Picture: Emma Brasier

Mum of two, Boovra, lives close to Brougham Gardens and said she often brought her kids down to play.

She said she would regularly walk in the gardens about 9pm-10pm with no concerns because of how lit up it is.

Now, Boovra is too scared to come anywhere near them.

“It’s quite lively in the morning … so I was very, very shocked,” she said.

“It’s always been safe, but now we’re really scared.

“My heart really goes out to his loved ones … it’s a tragedy.”

Meanwhile, a local dog walker, who asked not to be named, said she had seen the collapsed man as the first ambulance arrived.

“I thought he had had a heart attack,” she told The Advertiser.

“It’s so sad – someone just goes out for a walk and doesn’t come back.”

The dog walker reported they had been “accosted” by a “much older man” during her morning walk on Sunday, assuming he was not the same man as the 20-year-old North Adelaide suspect.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the vicinity of O’Connell Street or Brougham Gardens between 6am and 8am on Sunday to contact police.

Originally published as Police identify Aaron Stahlhut as man killed on North Adelaide walking path