As South Australia rolls out sweeping reforms to tackle domestic and family violence, new Adelaide University research has revealed a disturbing pattern behind murder-suicides, with every case examined over a 20-year period occurring within a domestic relationship.
Examining 363 adult homicide cases in South Australia between 2003 and 2022 – and identifying 10 murder-suicide cases – researchers found that nine of the 10 victims were killed by an intimate partner. Eight of the 10 victims were women.
The findings come as South Australia implements its Building Safer Futures five-year plan, released in August 2026 following the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
Adelaide University researcher and PhD candidate Tasmyn Lynch said the findings highlight the link between murder-suicide and domestic violence.
“While murder-suicide is relatively rare, our research highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence, with nine of the 10 cases involving intimate partners,” Lynch said.
“Intimate-partner homicide is the most extreme outcome of domestic violence, and understanding the circumstances surrounding these deaths is vital to identifying risks and preventing future tragedies.”
While the study identified 10 murder-suicide cases over the 20 years to 2022, the deaths of four South Australian women in suspected domestic violence incidents within a single week in November 2023 shocked the State and sparked renewed calls for action to address violence against women.
National figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that 67% of female domestic homicide victims in Australia in 2024-25 were killed by an intimate partner.
The findings also come as Australian governments have agreed to a new National Domestic Violence Risk Assessment Framework, designed to help police, GPs, hospitals and frontline services recognise warning signs and intervene before violence escalates.
Senior researcher, Adelaide University Professor Corinna Van Den Heuvel, said recognising the warning signs of intimate-partner violence could help prevent further tragedies.
“Previous research shows that controlling behaviour, threats, escalating abuse and relationship breakdown can all be warning signs that someone is at serious risk,” she said.
“Repeated police callouts and breaches of intervention orders are also important red flags that should trigger closer attention.
“Recognising these patterns earlier, improving information sharing between agencies and ensuring victims have the support they need to leave abusive relationships safely could be critical to preventing further deaths.”
Researchers caution that the small number of cases limits their ability to identify broader trends, but say the findings highlight an important opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts.
“Murder-suicide sits at the intersection of domestic violence and suicide prevention, yet these two areas are often addressed separately,” Lynch said.
“Our research highlights the importance of bringing these approaches together, with better coordination between services and a greater focus on identifying risks before lives are lost.”
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Support services: This article discusses domestic and family violence and suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
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Media contacts:
Tasmyn Lynch, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, Adelaide University
E: tasmyn.lynch@adelaide.edu.au
Prof Corinna Van Den Heuvel, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, Adelaide University
E: corinna.vandenheuvel@adelaide.edu.au
Annabel Mansfield, Senior Media Adviser Adelaide University. M: +61 479 182 489
E: Annabel.Mansfield@Adelaide.edu.au