An Adelaide family has been left devastated by a double tragedy after a man was arrested for allegedly killing his twin sibling.

Lucas Cawte, 24, handed himself into Christies Beach police station about 10am on Friday after allegedly shooting his twin brother Jake Cawte in the head.

Jake's body was found just an hour later inside the family's 26-hectare property on Marshall Rd on the outskirts of Willunga, south of Adelaide, The Advertiser reported. 

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Lucas Cawte (left), 24, has been charged with the murder of his twin brother, Jake (right)

Police said no one was at home except for the brothers when Jake was killed and the twins' father and owner of the property, Timothy Cawte, returned home on Friday afternoon, clearly distressed. 

Jake's brother Troy Thompson-Cawte, who posted a photograph of the pair on Facebook on Saturday, told Channel Nine: 'Jake was a great person who had a beautiful soul, he would always make people laugh and feel good about themselves.'

Lucas has been charged with murder and refused bail. He will likely front court on Monday. 

He is being held at the Margaret Tobin Centre, a mental health facility in Flinders, where he previously spent time battling mental health issues.

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The twins' mother told 7 News the Cawte family became concerned about the Lucas and Jake after they returned from a trip to South America as 'different people'.  

They had taken a strong hallucinogenic drug 'ayahuasca'. 

'They have changed their outlook on life completely,' forensic toxicologist Andrew Leibie said.

'They feel like they're a different person based on the things they've seen and perceived while they're taking this drug.'

The men's mother said she would stand by her son despite his alleged actions.

Jake's brother Troy Thompson-Cawte, posted a photograph of the pair on Facebook on Saturday after the fatal incident

Jake's brother Troy Thompson-Cawte, posted a photograph of the pair on Facebook on Saturday after the fatal incident

Lucas Cawte, 24, handed himself into Christies Beach police station at about 10am on Friday after allegedly shooting his twin brother Jake Cawte in the head

Lucas Cawte, 24, handed himself into Christies Beach police station at about 10am on Friday after allegedly shooting his twin brother Jake Cawte in the head

The twins had gone on spiritual journey to South America together and according to their mother, returned as 'different people'

The twins had gone on spiritual journey to South America together and according to their mother, returned as 'different people'

They documented themselves taking the powerful hallucinogenic drug 'ayahuasca' 

They documented themselves taking the powerful hallucinogenic drug 'ayahuasca' 

Lucas had no visible injuries and was co-operating with police, according to Detective Chief Inspector Tony Ransom.

Homicide detectives are still investigating what happened and whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the fatal incident. 

'It is unusual and we are working with the family and friends,' Insp Ransom told The Advertiser.

It is understood the twins' father has guns at the property but police do not know if one of them was used to kill Jake.   

The community, which is fond of the Cawte family, has been left in shock.

Residents of the tight-knit community said the incident was unexpected.

It is understood the twins also have a sister.  

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

Forensic investigators take photographs of a vehicle believed to be related to the incident

Forensic investigators take photographs of a vehicle believed to be related to the incident

Jake Cawte (pictured) was allegedly shot in the head by his twin brother, Lucas, at their family home south of Adelaide

Jake Cawte (pictured) was allegedly shot in the head by his twin brother, Lucas, at their family home south of Adelaide

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