The man allegedly murdered in a North Adelaide park has been remembered as a terrific father with a massive heart.

Aaron Stahlhut was found dead at Brougham Reserve during his routine morning walk on Sunday.

The 54-year-old’s sister today told 9News he had a “massive heart” and was a “terrific father”, while a former Defence Force comrade said “he will be remembered as a good soldier and a great bloke who was respected by his peers”.

Stahlhut’s sister told 9News he initially started walking daily to get healthy enough to receive a kidney transplant. Once his operation was successful he kept it up because it was a routine he grew to love.

There are also new details about Stahlhut’s accused killer and his troubled background.

Rylie Everson-Clare, 20, a former student of one of Adelaide’s elite schools, Westminster, is accused of murdering Stahlhut.

“Westminster, and all of its students and our greater community, are shocked and saddened about what’s happened,” principal Simon Shepherd said.

In a letter to parents, he revealed the school accepted Everson-Clare in 2018 when he was facing difficulties.

“When we can help students who are in need, then we will try to, and in Rylie’s situation there was a need for him to have stability,” he said.

Everson-Clare spent two years at Westminster before continuing his education in the Barossa Valley.

Friends of the alleged murderer claim he has been in a troubled place, and only recently had his welfare payments cut. 

“We’ve made some active inquiries, but obviously the matter is before the courts and there’s a lot of work to be done to be able to establish exactly what’s occurred here,” South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said.