In devastating news sending shock-waves through Adelaide’s tight-knit football community, Crows coach Phil Walsh has died at age 55.
Police confirm that he was murdered, following a domestic dispute, and his 26-year-old son, who lives at the home, was initially taken into custody before being charged with his murder, The Guardian reports.
Phil’s wife is in hospital, however her injuries are non-life-threatening.
In a press conference detectives revealed that the sporting legend was stabbed causing fatal injuries after his son had returned home at around 2 am this morning.
“Shortly after 2am this morning police were called to the home of Phil Walsh in relation to a stabbing,” Superintendent Des Bray told reporters.
He added:”Ambulance crews immediately rendered first aid and tried to resuscitate Mr Walsh but he died shortly afterwards, at around about 2 o’clock, the son… had an argument and as a result both Mr Walsh and his wife received injuries.”
According to authorities somebody from the home dialed 000 and the couple’s son has been taken in for psychiatric assessment while under police guard. It is also understood that Phil’s son fled the scene and was found in the beach-side suburb of Glenelg.
The 26-year-old son of the sporting legend will undergo a hearing from his hospital bed on Friday.
A police presence remains heavy around the family’s Somerton Park home and the major crime squad have taken over the scene.
Phil was a popular player in the Victorian Football League, playing mostly for Richmond and Collingwood. He began his esteemed coaching career at Geelong footy club, before moving to Adelaide in 2009 to become a strength and conditioning coach at Port Power.
Following a brief move to Perth to join the West Coast Eagles, he then returned to Port. This year, He was picked up by their cross-town rivals the Crows to be their head coach for season 2015 in a three-year contract , where he was largely credited for turning a form slump in recent seasons into genuine finals contenders this year.
Devastatingly, Phil recently gave an interview to News Ltd stating that he was working harder on being a better family man.
“One of the biggest things I’ve tried to change over the years, and I haven’t been very good at it, is taking work home,” he told the Adelaide Advertiser. I remember one year I snapped at my son over something and he said, ‘Footy’s started again, has it Dad?’ That really rocked me.”
This story is breaking and will be updated. Woman’s Day sends condolences to Phil’s family and friends.
