South Australian Police announce arrest in William Holdback killing

A 27-year-old man has been arrested for the brutal alleged early morning killing of a young man last week.

CCTV footage from an industrial area in inner-city Adelaide captured the final moments of 21-year-old William Holdback, who could be heard screaming for help about 1am as he is allegedly chased down the street by assailants.

The police launched a large-scale hunt after finding Mr Holdback’s body in the Welland area on Wednesday morning and on Sunday night, announced an arrest in the case.

“Shortly before his death William had met with two occupants of a BMW sedan in Musgrave Street,” the police said.

“A brief argument occurred and William fled into Barrpowell Street where he was fatally stabbed by the passenger of the vehicle.

“The driver of the vehicle drove the BMW into Barrpowell Street and collected the person who stabbed William and they left the scene.

“Detectives believe that the two suspects then travelled in the BMW north on South Road from Welland, then east along the Port River Expressway, along the full length of Salisbury Highway and into John Rice Ave.

“Late on Saturday, detectives went to the suspect’s northern suburbs home and arrested the 27-year-old man, charging him with murder.

“The BMW was also seized from the home and (police) interviewed the owner, who is also suspected of murder.

“That person’s role before, during and after the murder is now the subject of an intense and ongoing investigation by detectives who are continuing to compile evidence regarding that person’s involvement.”

One of the alleged attackers said “Get him ****. He can’t run that fast,” and “I’m going to stab you”.

The footage shows the alleged attackers then get back in a car and speed off.

One of the men can be heard saying that Mr Holdback had “smashed” all the windows in the car.

South Australian Police Detective Superintendent Des Bray said last week the police suspected the victim and offenders knew each other.

“This young man, we believe, arranged to meet somebody, in this street, at 1.30am. On that basis, we do not believe this death was committed by some random stranger,” he said.

The 27-year-old man was refused bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.