SA health administrator on murder charge

A prominent South Australian health administrator has been charged with murdering his wife during a hike through the Tasmanian wilderness

Robin Michael, 63, faced an after-hours session at Devonport Magistrate's Court on Friday night and was charged with the murder of Kerry Michael, 44.

Michael was refused bail and is due to face court again on Tuesday.

Police believe Mrs Michael was killed on Wednesday and her body was found a day later on a walking track near the summit of Mt Rowland in the state's north.

The body of the 44-year-old was found about 200m from the mountain summit about 2pm on Thursday, according to the Adelaide Advertiser. Police said a post-mortem had confirmed she had suffered head trauma.

Michael, a healthcare professional with 28 years of experience, was general manager of the Royal Darwin Hospital until 2007.

The federal government's National Blood Authority website lists his current position as chief executive of Radiology Resources Pty Ltd in Adelaide.