POLICE will investigate whether mental illness played a role in the deaths of a father and son who were both found with stab wounds yesterday.
Ambulance crews were alerted to the Morphett Vale incident when an agency representative - believed to be a registered nurse - discovered the two men in their Raphael Cres unit, about 9.30am yesterday during a routine appointment.
The son, 51, was found dead in the unit while his father, who was 84, was taken to Flinders Medical Centre, where he later died.
Police cordoned off the house as detectives and Crime Scene Investigators arrived to examine the complex crime scene.
Police at the fatal stabbing in Raphael Crescent, Morphett Vale. Picture: Stephen Laffer
He was quick to reassure the community that the incident was not random.
However, he said information about the nature of the attack was still sketchy.
Police road block at Raphael Crescent, where a man has been fatally stabbed and another seriously injured. Picture: Stephen Laffer
"It appears at this early stage from our initial investigation that this is a tragic domestic violence incident that has occurred between a father and son," he said.
"In any investigation of this type, the mental capacity of the people involved is something we look at very closely.
"Obviously, that is a line of inquiry we are pursing."
Police were yesterday attempting to identify the family's relatives.
Detectives confirmed that a knife was involved in the deaths and that police were also examining other items at the scene.
After the discovery of the two men's bodies, police blocked off the area and asked motorists to avoid the street.
Neighbour Kevin Brooks revealed that the father was caring for his son, who had been living with him for the past five years.
He said the pair often kept to themselves.
"They were very quiet. I'm surprised by what has happened," he said.
Mr Brooks said the father was often visited by Royal District Nursing.
Another neighbour, Sascha Rettke, said she was saddened by the incident.
She said she had found out about it on Facebook.
People who may be feeling depressed are urged to contact an agency like Lifeline on 13 11 44.
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