Hundreds of people have gathered to say goodbye to Hannah McGuire at a moving funeral, including AFL stars and her jailed brother, who was granted freedom to attend.
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, on April 5. Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged with the alleged murder of his ex-partner.
Essendon captain Zack Merrett and teammate Jake Stringer were among mourners who emerged from a Ballarat funeral home on Monday to pay their final respects to the 23-year-old teacher’s assistant.
Merrett and Stringer are believed to be good friends of Ms McGuire’s parents, who own a pub in the rural town of Clunes.
Prison guards were seen escorting Hannah McGuire’s brother, Fletcher McGuire, to the chapel before taking him back to the jail after the service.
McGuire was sentenced to four years and five months for a carjacking, just days after the alleged murder of his sister.
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.
Essendon champion Jake Stringer (right) was among hundreds of mourners who farewelled Hannah McGuire on Monday.
Western Bulldogs captain Zach Merrett pictured.
Hannah McGuire’s brother Jude McGuire is pictured (left)
His father was seen comforting him and his other son, Jude, as the hearse headed to the cemetery.
In the saddest scene, Mr. McGuire couldn’t bring himself to let his daughter go and walked alone behind the hearse as it drove away.
The beloved teacher’s aide’s students paid tribute to her in an emotional video played during the ceremony.
Some students were seen outside the chapel with their devastated parents.
One by one, the children at Delacombe Elementary School looked into the camera and spoke bravely about how much Mrs. McGuire had meant to them.
“Hannah wasn’t just a teacher, she was a friend and she will be missed,” one child said.
‘She pampered me. He loved her very much. she h“He helped us when we needed it,” said another.
One by one they spoke of a woman who cared and did everything she could to make them feel good about themselves.
“She always made me smile and it was a pleasure to see her every day,” said one student.
“She was always happy and had a smile on her face… I wish she could come back, but she can’t come back.”
A prison guard prepares to escort Fletcher McGuire to the toilet.
Mourners say goodbye to Hannah McGuire at the end of the service
Mourners were forced to remain outside the chapel to listen to the service.
Tears flowed for Hannah McGuire at her Ballarat funeral on Monday
Leading the service, celebrant Jenny Funston made it clear that Mrs McGuire’s life made a difference to many.
“He died before his time, too soon and too young,” he told mourners.
“Hannah mattered.”
Mourners heard how important Ms McGuire was in protecting the family, and her mother Debbie described her impact on everyone who knew her.
‘She touched our lives… her mThe memory is engraved in our souls,” said the heartbroken mother.
“His presence made everything feel good.”
Ms McGuire’s friend Nicole van Berkel told moving stories about her friend’s upbringing.
Hundreds of Hannah McGuire’s friends and family attended her funeral.
Friends and family of Hannah McGuire at Monday’s service.
Young mourners gathered at Hannah McGuire’s funeral
They told a story of kindness, determination and compassion for everyone in their company.
But Mrs. McGuire had also been a fierce competitor.
“She would never back down,” her friend said.
Like Funston before her, van Berkel made it clear that her friend’s life had made a difference.
“She would want us to find joy even in this pain,” he said.
“Always remember that you mattered.”
Autumn leaves fell from the trees as mourners watched a photo montage of Mrs. McGuire’s short life.
It is still unknown how or why Young allegedly murdered his ex-partner.
Sporting a mullet haircut, the 21-year-old collapsed in court as his alleged victim’s heartbroken mother cried in her seat at the front of the courtroom after his arrest earlier this month.
The court heard Young would remain behind bars until his next court date in September.
Hannah McGuire (left) had bought a house with her alleged killer just a year before he allegedly murdered her.
Sporting a mullet haircut, Young collapsed in court as a woman believed to be the mother of his alleged victim cried in her seat at the front of the courtroom.
Images of Young on social media indicate that he enjoyed a good upbringing and remained close to his parents.
Mrs. McGuire had bShe was supposed to have a house with her ex-boyfriend just under a year before he allegedly murdered her.
In the photo smiling from ear to ear, the 23-year-old posed next to a large “sold” sign with her then partner outside their house in Sebastopol, near Ballarat in regional Victoria.
The happy snap was taken almost a year to the day before Young appeared in court to face charges of Ms McGuire’s murder.
Ms McGuire’s body was found near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, shortly before 1am on Friday.
His death was initially ruled a suicide after his body was found in a burned-out car.
But the forensic report indicated that he had allegedly suffered fatal injuries before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Ms McGuire had lived with Young until a week before she was allegedly murdered.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the crisis helpline on 1800 199 008.