Modbury North, Adelaide shooting: Massive manhunt underway for ‘armed and dangerous’ ute driver alleged to have murdered his wife

A nationwide manhunt is underway for an armed gunman on the run accused of murdering his wife at their Adelaide home.

Kevin Jewell, 55, shot and killed his wife Jodie at their home in Modbury North shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, police said.

Chief Inspector Doc Bray said Ms Jewell had previously told a friend she had been a victim of domestic abuse, but had not reported the crime.

The friend became concerned when she could not contact Mrs. Jewell and contacted the police, who attended the property and found Mrs. Jewell dead from a gunshot wound.

Kevin Jewell lived on the top floor of the house, while Mrs. Jewell and her teenage daughter lived downstairs.

“They had been somewhat estranged for some time,” Supt Bray told reporters on Wednesday.

Police obtained a warrant for Jewell’s arrest on a charge of murder at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

A huge manhunt has been launched for the driver of a missing Mitsubishi Ute after police found the body of a woman in an Adelaide home on Tuesday evening.

“If Kevin is watching, I’m calling on him,” Supt Bray said. ‘We are actively looking for you and we will locate you.

“I encourage you to immediately, immediately and without any delay, contact an attorney and negotiate your safe surrender to law enforcement.”

Supt Bray warned the public not to come into contact with Jewell, who is described as being of average build and scruffy appearance.

“We believe Kevin is armed with a rifle and ammunition,” he said.

“He is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached by anyone.”

A suspect wanted in connection with the death is believed to have fled the scene in the white 2008 Mitsubishi Triton, registration XTN167.

Jewell is believed to be driving a white Mitsubishi Triton and police believe he may have wanted to hide in the countryside when he unloaded items from the house, including a backpack and an esky, on Tuesday afternoon.

“He likes hunting, he likes camping and he is known to spend his normal recreational time in the bush, so that’s very likely,” Supt Bray said.

“We have a tremendous amount of resources looking for him.

“The alarm has gone out to every police officer in the state. There are planes looking for him and there are many people working to find him.”

Ms Jewell is the fourth woman to be murdered in South Australia in the past week.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14