Police are desperately searching for a man with a tiger tattoo and ‘possible’ rat’s tail following the brutal slaying of a ‘very spiritual’ mother-of-three on Sunday.
Sally Rothe, 54, was found dead at her home in the sleep town of Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide, South Australia, shortly after 8pm.
Detectives said there was ‘no doubt’ Ms Rothe had been murdered and pleaded for the public’s help finding heavily inked suspect Travis Kirchner, 43.
A dog-walking neighbour rang police after spotting a man trying to kick Ms Rothe’s door in last night.
WANTED: South Australian detectives are desperately hunting for Travis Kirchner, 43 – said to have a tiger tattoo and a ‘possible’ rat’s tail
VICTIM: Sally Rothe – described by friends as ‘very spiritual’ and as a mother-of-three – was found dead at her Albert Terrace, Murray Bridge, home about 8pm on Sunday
Crime scene: Neighbours woke up to shocking scenes in sleepy Murray Bridge on Monday following the slaying death of Sally Rothe
Ms Rothe body was discovered with ‘significant injuries’, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.
She and Kirchner were known to each other, he said, and Kirchner was ‘well known to police.’
‘Any person that discovered that crime scene could be left with no doubt it was a deliberate murder,’ he said.
‘Multiple people know who is responsible for this murder,.
Kirchner is believed to be wearing a faded red T-shirt and jeans. Police said he had a tiger inked into his chest and a panther on his upper right arm.
Ms Rothe was killed by a man known to her, and well known to police, Detective Superintendent Des Bray told reporters
He was described as about 44 years old, pale skinned and balding – and possibly sporting a rats tail.
The public have been warned to stay away from him if they see him.
‘The man obviously committed a brutal murder a short time ago, and is currently fleeing – really anybody in that situation is dangerous and shouldn’t be approached by anybody,’ Det Supt Bray said.
A crime scene has been established at the woman’s home, and the local criminal investigation branch and Major Crime Detectives are investigating.
A woman identifying herself as Kirchner’s niece posted to Facebook claiming her house was raided at midnight.
‘If anyone sees this piece of s**t call cops straight away he’s on the run,’ she said.
Anyone with information on the woman’s death is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.