A South Australian man has told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that while he accepts responsibility for causing his wife’s death, he disputes a charge of murder.
ABC News reported that appearing by video link from custody on Wednesday, 42-year-old Vikrant Thakur entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, following advice from his barrister, James Marcus.
Police were called to a home on West Avenue at Northfield, in Adelaide’s inner north, about 8.30pm on December 21 after reports of a domestic incident. Officers found 36-year-old Supriya Thakur unconscious and attempted CPR, but she could not be revived.
Thakur was arrested at the scene and charged the following day. After his initial court appearance on December 22, the case was adjourned for 16 weeks while prosecutors await further evidence, including DNA analysis, toxicology results and a post-mortem report.
Police have confirmed another person was present in the house at the time of the incident but was not injured. Investigators have also seized the couple’s mobile phones as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Friends have described Ms Thakur as a devoted mother to her young son and a caring person who aspired to become a registered nurse. A close friend, Ella Butler, said she should be remembered as “a really beautiful mother” and a loyal friend.
In the wake of her death, community members have anonymously established a fundraiser through GoFundMe to support Ms Thakur’s son. The appeal aims to help cover funeral and memorial costs and provide longer-term stability for the child. Organisers say the funds will be securely held until a verified beneficiary is confirmed.
The matter is due to return to court in April. Bail has been refused.
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