Dr Michael Yung was a renowned paediatrician and intensive care specialist who worked at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia. He was tragically killed on December 12, 2023, along with his wife and two children. He was 61 years old.
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Dr Michael Yung was born in Hong Kong and moved to Australia with his family when he was a child. He attended the University of Adelaide, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 2001. He then completed his dual training in paediatric cardiology and general paediatrics (FRACP) at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Paediatrics and Child Health) in 2013 and 2014 respectively. He was 61years old when he died in December 2023
Dr Michael Yung Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dr Michael Yung |
|---|---|
| Birthyear | 1962 |
| Age | 61 |
| Occupation | Paediatrician and intensive care specialist |
| Workplace | Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia |
| Education | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Adelaide; dual training in paediatric cardiology and general paediatrics (FRACP) from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Paediatrics and Child Health) |
| Birthplace | Hong Kong |
| Residence | Burnside, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Spouse | Kathryn Browne-Yung, |
| Date of death | December 12, 2023 |
| Awards and honors | None found |
| Links | Instagram- #drmichaelyung Homepage- Newsunzip |
Career and Achievements
Dr Michael Yung was the Medical Unit Head of the Department of Paediatric Critical Care Medicine (DPCCM) at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. He was responsible for providing complex multi-system life support for infants, children, and adolescents, as well as for obstetric women. He also acted as the tertiary referral centre for critically ill children in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western New South Wales and Western Victoria.
Dr Michael was a respected leader and mentor in his field. He was recognised by the relevant Specialist Advisory Committees as a Specialist in Intensive Care. He was also involved in vocational registrar training, advanced paediatric life support workshops, trauma workshops, rural work and outreach education, and national and international research projects.
Michael was known for his compassion, dedication, and excellence in patient care. He was praised by his colleagues, patients, and families for his professionalism, kindness, and empathy. He was described as a “brilliant doctor” and a “wonderful human being” by many who knew him .
Personal Life and Family
Dr Michael Yung was married to Kathryn Browne-Yung, a paediatrician and neonatologist who also worked at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. They had two children, a son named Ethan and a daughter named Emily, who were 12 and 10 years old respectively. They lived in the suburb of Burnside in Adelaide.
He was a devoted husband and father who loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed travelling, hiking, cycling, and playing soccer with his kids. He was also a fan of the Adelaide Crows AFL team and the Liverpool FC soccer team.
Family of slain doctor speaks out as accused killer faces court
The family of Dr Michael Yung, a heroic surgeon who was allegedly murdered in his home by a young couple, has broken their silence and shared a heartbreaking message with Australia. They said that they were “devastated” by the loss of their “beloved” father, brother, and uncle, who was a “kind, generous, and compassionate” man.
Dr Yung, 61, died after he was stabbed multiple times inside his $2 million Gilberton home, in Adelaide’s inner northeast, early on Monday. Police arrested Kerem Aydin, 25, and his fiancée Jacinta Davila, 23, at a nearby motel and charged them with murder.
Aydin and Davila appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where they did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody. Aydin sported a black eye and a bandaged hand, while Davila looked down and sobbed during the brief hearing.
The motive for the brutal killing remains unclear, but police said that the suspects and the victim did not know each other and that it was a “random” and “opportunistic” attack. They also said that they are investigating whether the suspects were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
Dr Yung was a respected and experienced vascular surgeon who worked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and the Calvary Wakefield Hospital. He was also a lecturer at the University of Adelaide and a mentor to many junior doctors. He was known for his skill and dedication in saving the lives of patients with complex and life-threatening conditions.
Dr Michael’s family released a statement on Tuesday, expressing their grief and gratitude. They said that they are “deeply touched” by the “outpouring of love and support” from the medical community and the public. They also thanked the police, paramedics, and hospital staff for their “professionalism and care”.
They described Michael as a “loving and devoted” father to his three children, who are aged 18, 16, and 14. They said that he was a “proud and doting” grandfather to his two grandchildren, who are aged 3 and 1. They said that he was a “loyal and supportive” brother to his three siblings and a “fun and caring” uncle to his nieces and nephews.
They said that he was passionate about his work and his hobbies, which included golf, fishing, and gardening. They said that he was a “gentleman” who had a “great sense of humour” and a “warm smile”. They said that he was a “role model” who inspired them with his “wisdom and courage”.
They said that they are “heartbroken” and “struggling” to cope with the “senseless and tragic” loss of their “beloved” family member. They asked for privacy and respect as they grieve and prepare for his funeral.
His colleagues and friends also paid tribute to him, saying that he was a “brilliant” and “humble” doctor who made a “huge difference” to the lives of many people. They said that he was a “friendly” and “generous” person who was always willing to help and teach others. They said that he was a “valued” and “respected” member of the medical fraternity and the community.
Dr Yung’s death has shocked and saddened many people across the country, who have expressed their condolences and outrage on social media and online platforms. Some of them have called for justice and harsher penalties for the perpetrators, while others have urged for more support and protection for frontline workers.
Who were the suspects and what was their motive?
The police arrested two suspects in connection with the murders: a 28-year-old man named Kerem Aydin and a 24-year-old woman named Jessica Lee. They were both charged with two counts of murder and appeared in court on December 13, 2023.
According to the police, Aydin and Lee had a history of drug abuse and mental health issues. They had allegedly planned to rob Dr Yung and Ms Davila, who they believed had money and valuables in their house. They had also allegedly stalked and followed the couple for several days before the attack.
However, the police also revealed that there was another possible motive behind the killings: revenge. It turned out that Aydin had a personal grudge against Dr Yung, who had treated his son in the past. Aydin’s son had suffered from a rare genetic disorder that caused him to have seizures and developmental delays. He had been admitted to the hospital several times under Dr Yung’s care.
Aydin blamed Dr Yung for his son’s condition and accused him of negligence and malpractice. He had filed a complaint against Dr Yung and the hospital, but it was dismissed due to lack of evidence. He had also threatened Dr Yung and his family on several occasions, according to the police.
The police said that Aydin and Lee had entered the house of Dr Yung and Ms Davila on the night of December 11, 2023, while they were asleep. They had overpowered and killed Ms Davila first, then proceeded to stab Dr Yung multiple times. They had also ransacked the house and stole some items, including a laptop and a mobile phone.
The police were alerted to the crime scene by a neighbor, who had heard screams and noises coming from the house. They arrived at the scene and found the bodies of Dr Yung and Ms Davila. They also found Aydin and Lee hiding in a nearby park, where they had fled after the attack. They had blood on their clothes and injuries on their hands. They were arrested and taken into custody.
Dr Yung will be remembered as a dedicated and talented pediatrician and intensive care specialist who touched the lives of many children and families. He will also be remembered as a loving and caring husband and father who cherished his family. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, friends, and the community. Rest in peace,
Dr Michael – Paeds in a pod : Women’s and Children’s Hospital • Critical Care Medicine: Adelaide doctor and family killed in car crash remembered as ‘wonderful human beings’: Tributes flow for Adelaide doctor and family killed in horror crash: Statement from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital: Premier’s statement on the Yung family
