A man has been charged over the alleged murder of a woman at one of Adelaide's largest shopping centres.

Key points: Woman dies after suffering head injuries outside Colonnades Shopping Centre

Woman dies after suffering head injuries outside Colonnades Shopping Centre Man charged with murder and expected to face court today

Man charged with murder and expected to face court today Police say no known link between suspect and victim

Police and ambulance crews were called following reports of a woman with serious head injuries outside the BankSA branch at the Colonnades Shopping Centre in Noarlunga Centre shortly after midnight.

The 36-year-old Ethelton mother of two died at the scene despite paramedics and police providing first aid.

Police arrested a 20-year-old man of no fixed address at the location.

He was charged with murder late this morning and is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

The woman was found outside the shopping centre's BankSA branch. ( Vicinity Centres )

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said police did not believe robbery was a motive for the attack and no weapon was used.

"Police believe this man was hanging around the Noarlunga Centre area from about seven o'clock last night," he said.

"I can tell you that he was wearing a dark hoodie and shorts — if anyone has seen that person hanging around the Noarlunga Centre if they could contact Crime Stoppers."

He said there was no known link between the suspect and the victim.

"We're in the process of conducting interviews with him and ascertaining his version of events as to what's occurred," he said.

"At the moment, it's very early in the investigation and we're just trying to piece together exactly what's occurred."

Local woman Sarah Huxtables leaves flowers at the scene of the alleged murder. ( ABC News: Brittany Evins )

Senior Constable Rebecca Stokes said there would be a heavy police presence in the area throughout the day, including crime scene and forensics officers.

"We'll be scouring the area for CCTV and wanting to speak to anyone who comes forward who may have more information," Senior Constable Stokes told ABC Radio Adelaide.

Colonnades is one of Adelaide's largest shopping centres, with several department stores and supermarkets.

Community shocked at woman's death

Sarah Huxtable laid flowers at the scene after hearing about the alleged murder.

"Regardless of what time it is that she was out here, you should be able to be safe walking around anywhere," Ms Huxtable said.

"It gobsmacks me that people can't be safe near their own home or a place that has security."

Another local woman, Louise, said the news was devastating.

"This is horrible, this is absolutely horrible," she said.

"Why can't we as women be able to walk around and do what we need to do without the fear of assault or murder, taken away from our children? Why is it this way?

"It's not being taken seriously."



Women's Safety Services SA director of services Ginny Cisneros said the organisation was "outraged and saddened" by the woman's death.

"Men's violence against women in Australia is a national crisis that we, as a community, urgently need to address," Ms Cisneros said.

"With at least one woman a week on average being murdered, we need to address the behaviours and attitudes that condone violence against women.

"We need change and action across the board in Australia — from our political and legal settings, to our schools and communities, from the streets to our homes.

"We all have a right to safety and a role to play to ensure that women and children are safe.

"Violence against women is preventable if we work together to end the harmful behaviours and attitudes that lead to it."