ADELAIDE – Adelaide Crows coach Phil Walsh has been stabbed to death in a killing that has stunned the sporting world.
The 55-year-old died from multiple stab wounds allegedly following an argument with his son, who has been charged with murder.
Walsh died inside his house in a beachside Adelaide suburb while his wife Meredith suffered a leg wound.
The son, 26, is in police custody in hospital where he was to have faced a bedside court hearing later yesterday, as the sporting fraternity reacts in shock to Walsh’s murder.
“The Adelaide Football Club is devastated at the sudden passing of senior coach Phil Walsh in the early hours of this (yesterday) morning,” the Crows said in a statement.
The club was to have held a media conference later in the day, with tomorrow’s scheduled AFL home game against Geelong in doubt.
Stunned Crows players converged on their West Lakes headquarters after being told the news at 7am.
The AFL was holding emergency meetings.
“Our industry is grieving today,” AFL chief Gillon McLachlan said in a statement.
“Phil Walsh was a man of boundless energy and enthusiasm, and his death is a tragic loss.
“At this time, the AFL is working closely with the Adelaide Football Club on the support required to the staff and players of the Crows.”
South Australian Police say Walsh was murdered at the family home in Somerton Park at about 2am on Friday.
Walsh and his son argued, Superintendent Des Bray said.
