SA, Crime: Kerem Aydin, 22 and Jacinta Davila, 27 charged with murder of Dr Michael Yung

A young couple have been charged over the alleged murder of prominent Adelaide doctor Michael Yung.

Dr Yung, 61, was left with life-threatening injuries after he was allegedly attacked inside his $2m Gilberton home on Monday.

The father of two and “great South Australian” died on Tuesday.

Police arrested Kerem Aydin, 22 and Jacinta Davila, 27 at a Torrensville home on Wednesday morning, and they have since been charged with murder.

The pair, both from Thebarton, were charged with murder, aggravated serious criminal trespass, and commit theft using force.

The man and woman are expected to appear before Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Dr Yung’s family issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying they are “absolutely devastated” over the death of the loving father, son, and brother.

“His death has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” the statement said.

They also extended their “deep gratitude” to the first responders who worked tirelessly to save Dr Yung’s life and have supported them in the wake of his death.

In a statement, South Australia Police said detectives were no longer seeking any other suspects at this time.

“There has been no connection identified between the arrested people and those being sought for a recent crime spree across Adelaide,” police said.

Officers continued to appeal for anyone with dashcam footage from between midnight and 5am on Monday, within a 500m radius of James St and Nottage Terrace, to contact Crime Stoppers.

Premier Peter Malinauskas led tributes on Wednesday to the former head of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital pediatric intensive care medical unit who practised for almost 40 years.

“Dr Michael Yung was a great South Australian who dedicated his life to helping children in their hour of need, when they were their sickest,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“My thoughts are with Dr Yung’s family, friends and colleagues. For someone who dedicated his life to helping others to become the victim of such a confronting crime is deeply disturbing.”

Photographs taken at the active crime scene surrounding Dr Yung’s family home in Gilberton show a flowers leaning against the front gate where yellow police tape wraps around the fence.

A white BMW is still parked under the carport beside manicured lawns wet from the recent rain.

High walls distance the home from the street, with leafy hedges offering a false sense of security from the street.

Who was Dr Michael Yung?

The esteemed pediatrician and intensive care specialist Dr Yung has been remembered as a skilled and compassionate doctor.

“He dedicated his life to the care and treatment of critically ill children and their families at their most vulnerable time,” his family said in a statement shared by police.

“His selfless devotion to these children and families extended not just across South Australia but throughout the nation, and internationally.”

Dr Yung established a pediatric ICU in Kilifi, Kenya, and also worked in remote Indigenous communities across Australia.

“He was a wise and patient teacher and mentor to generations of aspiring ICU doctors,” the family said.

“He was loved and respected by his colleagues, staff and students and all those who were privileged to know and work with him.”

In 2020, he established the Kathryn Browne-Yung Foundation charity in the name of his late wife who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly three years ago.

The Foundation supports scholarships for Indigenous medical students and his family have invited people who would like to honour his memory to do so by donating to the foundation.

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