A homeless man has been charged with murder after a mother and son were found dead at a home in Adelaide’s west.
South Australian police were called to the property on Rosetta Street in Rosewater at 1:20pm on Saturday.
The bodies of Antoinette Tozer, 76, and her son, Steve Tozer, 55, were found inside with significant injuries.
A 43-year-old man, of no fixed address but who resided across the street from the home, was arrested nearby and was later charged with two counts of murder.
The bodies were found by the Ms Tozer’s daughter, who called police to report finding her brother and mother dead.
It is understood she went to the house on a welfare check after not hearing from them.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Graham Goodwin said the woman was confronted with a ‘horrific scene’.
The body of Antoinette Tozer, 76, and her son, Steve Tozer, 55, were found inside an Adelaide home with significant injuries on Saturday afternoon
Detectives arrested a homeless 43-year-old man who is being interviewed in connection to the deaths
Police are not seeking any other suspects and believe the incident was not random
Detectives arrested the 43-year-old man near the scene and took him to be interviewed in connection to the deaths.
Police are not seeking any other suspects and believe the incident was not random.
Officers would not speculate on whether a weapon was used in the alleged attack, but they confirmed that no firearms were involved.
‘The relationship between the suspect and the occupants of that address is unknown,’ Acting Assistant Commissioner Goodwin said.
‘It is suspected that they were known to each other, but at this stage we don’t know what that relationship was.’
Police are hoping to speak to anyone who has information on the events that led up to the deaths of the woman and her son.
‘I do ask for the public’s support … not only for events for today, but also for events of the days leading up to these tragic circumstances,’ Mr Goodwin added.
Charles Crossley, 67, who also lives on the street, told ABC News that he could not comprehend something like this happening in his typically quiet street.
‘I think it’s disgusting, I can’t comprehend it at all, I really can’t,’ he said.
‘This street is so quiet and nothing like this has ever happened before.’
Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser that she heard a loud bang on Saturday morning from her courtyard.
More than ten police cars remain at the Rosetta Street home and forensic teams are examining the scene.
Anyone with dashcam footage or any other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
The man will front Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.
