The body of a man has been found in the hunt for a man suspected of shooting dead his estranged wife in their home.
South Australian Police say the body has been located near Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula, west of Adelaide across St Vincent Gulf, and it is believed to be that of suspected wife-killer Kevin Jewell.
SA Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Jewell, 55, for the murder of his wife Jodie, also 55, who was shot dead at the home they shared in Adelaide’s northeast on Tuesday night.
Police launched a large-scale search for Mr Jewell who they believe left Adelaide armed with a rifle and ammunition.
Mr Jewell travelled in a white 2008 Mitsubishi Triton ute, the police believe, and the vehicle was last seen at 7.28pm on Tuesday night near Port Wakefield, about 110km north of Adelaide, heading north.
Superintendent Doc Bray on Wednesday appealed for the 55-year-old Mr Jewell to hand himself in.
“If Kevin is watching, I make this appeal to him,” he said.
“Kevin, you can’t undo what has been done last night. A warrant has been issued for your arrest today.
“We are actively looking for you and we will locate you.
“I encourage you forthwith, straight away, without any delay, to engage with a solicitor and negotiate your safe surrender to the police.”
The couple shared a 16-year-old daughter together, but the police said the girl was not at home at the time of the shooting.
Police warned the public not to approach Mr Jewell and to contact police immediately if they spotted him.
The police said they had information that Mr Jewell removed things from the home on Tuesday afternoon, including backpacks, an Esky and other “bulky items”.
“It may be the case he was preparing to go to a country location,” Superintendent Bray said.
The hunt escalated across Wednesday in a statewide land and air search, with officers canvassing the home of Mr Jewell’s aunt and uncle at Whyalla, some 375km from the alleged crime scene.
Ms Jewell said officers searched her home, including the shed and back rooms, for about 15 minutes before leaving the property, The Adelaide Advertiser reported.
“They asked if we knew where he’d go,” Ms Jewell said.
“It’s just been a blur.”
Ms Jewell’s death is the fourth serious domestic violence incident to strike South Australia in just a week.
The police discovered Ms Jewell’s body at the home after a friend called them out of concern for her welfare.
Ms Jewell’s friends said the mother had planned to leave her husband with her daughter and start life over again.
On Tuesday, a 50-year-old man was arrested for the alleged murder of a 44-year-old woman at Felixstow on November 15.
“The man was charged with murder and will appear in the Coober Pedy Magistrates Court later today,” the police said on Wednesday.
“The accused is known to the victim and no other persons are being sought by police.”