Ex-AFL star Alan Stoneham's adopted son James pleads guilty to murdering Adriana Donato A Falcon station wagon which was taken from the scene for forensic testing after the death of Adriana Donato. Picture: HWT library Source: News Limited Homicide and forensic police at the murder scene by the Maribyrnong River at Aberfeldie. THE adopted son of former AFL star Alan Stoneham has pleaded guilty to murder. James Stoneham, 22, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to the murder of 20-year-old Adriana Donato. Ms Donato was stabbed to death in an attack beside the Maribyrnong River in Aberfeldie in August last year. It is believed a witness called 000 shortly after the murder and put Stoneham on the phone to tell them what had happened. Police and paramedics were called to the scene, a reserve off Afton St, shortly before 11.30pm on the night Ms Donato was killed. Paramedics failed to revive her and she died at the scene. It is believed Mr Stoneham and Ms Donato had previously dated but had been separated for some time. Mr Stoneham is the adopted son of Bombers and Bulldogs footballer Alan Stoneham who played in the 1970s and '80s. The former football star appeared to fight back tears, looked at the floor and shook his head when his son formally pleaded guilty to one count of murder. Dozens of family and friends for both Mr Stoneham and Ms Donato were in court for the guilty plea. Defence counsel Peter Morrissey, SC, said his client had "been a very troubled person." Details of the tragic case have not yet been made public. Mr Stoneham's guilty plea comes months before he was due to stand trial of Ms Donato's death. Mr Morrissey asked the court for a longer than usual adjournment before a plea hearing. "This is not a case of fleeing from the inevitable," he said. He must serve a term of imprisonment. Justice Betty King said she preferred matters to be dealt with expeditiously for the benefit of all parties. Mr Stoneham will reappear for a plea hearing on November 11. He was remanded in custody until that date.