The devastated husband of missing runner Samantha Murphy has expressed his deep sorrow for the family of Hannah McGuire.
Both women were allegedly murdered in the Ballarat area: Ms Murphy, 51, went missing during a morning jog on February 4 and Ms McGuire, 23, was found dead inside a burnt-out car on Friday .
There has been an outpouring of grief across the country and the close-knit community in the Victorian region, west of Melbourne, is struggling to come to terms with the twin tragedies.
Murphy’s husband, Mick Murray, said in a statement to 9News: “It’s very sad.” I feel sorry for the family.’
She added that she would like to see stricter laws for those convicted of violence against women.
“More needs to be done in the country,” he said. “The sanctions must be much more severe.”
Murphy’s husband Mick Murray (pictured with daughter Jess) said in a statement: “It’s very sad.” I feel sorry for Ms. McGuire’s family.
Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her East Ballarat home for a run on the morning of February 4.
Hannah McGuire was found dead in a burnt-out car on Friday, south-west of Ballarat.
The two men charged separately with murdering the mother-of-three and Ms McGuire are understood to have grown up in supportive homes.
Ms Murphy’s disappearance sparked a major local effort to find her which continued until the arrest of local Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, on March 6.
He has been charged with her murder and remains behind bars in Melbourne until his next court appearance in August.
Stephenson is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson, who played 15 games for Geelong and Richmond between 2012 and 2014.
He also lived in the Scotsburn area, just 15 minutes from East Ballarat.
Lachie Young, 21, has been charged with the murder of Ms McGuire.
It is understood the couple had recently separated after living together for the past year.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has been charged with the alleged murder of Ms Murphy.
Meanwhile, Lachie Young, 21, has been charged with the alleged murder of Ms McGuire.
WhatsNew2Day Australia revealed on Monday that McGuire had desperately tried to obtain an intervention order against a man in the days before his murder.
It is understood his death was initially ruled a suicide before the coroner’s report indicated he had suffered fatal injuries before his alleged death inside a car.
The remains of that car were found on Friday near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat in Victoria.
Additionally, it can be revealed that Ms. McGuire had been friends with Young’s sister, Bek Young.
Images of Young obtained from 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.
Young appeared at Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was told he would remain behind bars until his next court appearance in September.
Outside the court, Ms McGuire’s devastated parents, Glenn, Debbie and her brother, stood back in pain as Ballarat lawyer Brook Tamanika issued a statement on their behalf to waiting media.
Outside the courthouse, Ms. McGuire’s devastated parents, Glenn and Debbie, and her brother stood aside as attorney Brook Tamanika issued a statement on her behalf to waiting media.
“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 but I cannot comment on the status of the matter.”
The charges brought against Stephenson and McGuire landed them each in custody for the first time.
It is also understood that both men were raised in loving and supportive families.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the crisis helpline on 1800 199 008.