The father of the man accused of killing Hannah McGuire has unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade against a journalist when asked about his son’s murder charge.
Lachlan Young, 21, appeared in court on Tuesday charged with the death of his ex-girlfriend, whose body was found in a burnt-out car on Friday morning in Scarsdale, 25 kilometers south of Ballarat.
Nine News reporter Gillian Lantouris approached the accused’s father in his driveway as he retreated inside a garage.
Mrs Lantouris asked: “Do you have anything to say about Lachie’s murder charge?”
The father responded, ‘Fuck, fuck off,’ from inside the garage as he lowered the electric roller door.
Police discovered the remains of Hannah McGuire, 23, in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, shortly before 10am on Friday.
Glenn McGuire tried hard to hide his pain on the courthouse steps.
Images of Young on social media indicate that he enjoyed a good upbringing and remained close to his parents.
Earlier on Tuesday, the heartbroken mother of Ms McGuire, 23, wept openly in Ballarat Magistrates Court as the man accused of her daughter’s murder hid his face.
Sporting a mullet haircut, Young collapsed in court as the heartbroken mother burst into tears in her seat at the front of the courtroom.
The court heard Young would remain behind bars until his next court date in September.
Outside court, Ms McGuire’s devastated parents, Glenn and Debbie, and her brother sobbed and comforted each other as Ballarat lawyer Brooke Tamanika spoke on their behalf.
“As you can imagine, this is a very devastating time for the family, for Hannah’s loved ones and for our community as a whole,” he said.
“The family has been assisting the police, however I cannot comment on the status of the matter.”
McGuire could not contain her pain as Tamanika spoke to reporters, turning her back to him and trying to hide her own pain as she sobbed uncontrollably.
His family comforted him before police escorted them all away from the media group and took them to their car across the street.
Friends of Ms McGuire were also seen leaving the court in tears.
Inside the courtroom, little information was provided about Homicide Squad detectives’ case against the alleged killer.
The court heard multiple crime scenes were still being investigated and police were reviewing CCTV footage.
Young’s lawyer complained to the court that police had not provided him with information about the allegations, limiting his ability to make any kind of bail application to the Supreme Court of Victoria.
‘At this time the defense has not contributed anything from the police. All the information we have has been given to us by the media,’ he stated.
Ms. McGuire had been friends with Young’s sister, Bek Young.
Glenn McGuire is comforted by his wife Debbie outside Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
“It appears as if the police acted very quickly and there is obviously enough evidence against Mr Young to charge him with murder.”
The court heard it will take the prosecution 16 weeks to compile its brief of evidence against Young.
Young’s lawyer revealed that it was his client’s first time in custody and needed access to antidepressant medication.
It is understood Ms McGuire’s death was initially ruled a suicide after her body was found in a burnt-out car.
But the forensic report indicated that he had allegedly suffered fatal injuries before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
The remains were found near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat in Victoria, shortly before 1am on Friday.
Additionally, it can be revealed that Ms. McGuire had been friends with Young’s sister, Bek Young.
Images of Young on social media indicate that he enjoyed a good upbringing and remained close to his parents.
His parents’ family home is located a stone’s throw from the Sebastopol home where detectives arrested him on Sunday.
Lachie Young, 21, of Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives Sunday and formally charged with her murder Monday afternoon.
That same afternoon a 22-year-old man was also arrested, but was released without charge.
Young and McGuire had been in a relationship and lived together for the past year before recently splitting, WhatsNew2Day Australia understands.
Ms McGuire, who worked at her family’s pub, The National Hotel in Clunes, had lived with Young until a week ago, when she moved out.
In a post on the pub’s Facebook page, the McGuire family said they were “devastated”.
“The pub will be open as normal on Wednesday, we will leave you in the capable hands of Johnny Hind for a few days,” the post said.
‘Thank you all for your love, support and kind words. Our hearts are broken.
‘You weren’t just a star to us. You were our whole damn heaven. I miss you princess!’
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the crisis helpline on 1800 199 008.
