A 21-year-old man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend allegedly sent a text message to his friends telling them she had taken her own life.
Lachie Young was charged with murder after police found the remains of Hannah McGuire, 23, in a burnt-out car off State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, shortly before 10am on Friday.
Young, of Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives Sunday and formally charged with her murder Monday afternoon.
A 22-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday afternoon, but was released without charge.
It is understood police will allege in court that Young sent text messages to friends of McGuire suggesting she had ended her own life.
‘The police came to see me on Friday lunchtime and told me she had done it and was no longer with us. This is my fault,’ the text supposedly said.
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1:19 a.m. Saturday.
She posted a photo of the couple with the caption, “I will always love you until we meet again, make that heaven a very beautiful girl” with two love heart emojis.
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.
Lachie Young, 21, of Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives Sunday and formally charged with her murder Monday afternoon.
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!’
Nearly 100 people expressed their condolences for the family in the comments, with one woman describing Ms McGuire as a “beautiful soul”.
“There was never a time I saw her where she didn’t have a smile on her face,” he said.
“There are no words, just the love of a district that will hug you and hold you tight,” another commented.
Mrs McGuire, who worked in her family’s pub – The National Hotel in Clunes. In a post on the pub’s Facebook page, the McGuire family said they were “devastated”.
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1:19 a.m. Saturday (pictured).
Clunes Cricket Club quickly organized a crowdfunding initiative to help Ms McGuire’s family with the cost of her funeral.
‘Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold. “As a club and community, we want to embrace the McGuire family and everyone close to Hannah,” the post read.
On Monday, Hannah’s best friend, Caitlyn Stepnell, posted a heartfelt tribute.
The Ballarat woman posted on Facebook about the young teaching support officer: “You will always be a little sister to me.”
Alongside eight photos of the two young women posing for selfies and partying together, Stepnell said she and Hannah had “over 10 years of friendship (that) will not be forgotten.”
‘You were an incredible woman, an incredible friend, an incredible support. You were my hype girl. I loved watching you become the woman you were and watching you grow. “I will miss you every day,” the post read.
One woman described Ms McGuire as a “beautiful soul” who always had a smile on her face.
‘My heart breaks, heaven has gained an angel. Goodbye for now, not forever. I love you Hannah McGuire. “I will continue to make you proud.”
Young is scheduled to face court Tuesday.
It is the latest tragedy to rock Ballarat following the alleged murder of mother-of-three Samantha Murphy in February.
Police arrested the mother’s alleged killer, Patrick Stephenson, 22, last month, but have not yet located her remains.
Ms Murphy disappeared while out on a morning run on February 4. Police allege she was murdered that day in Mt Clear, 15 kilometers from where the last woman’s body was found.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the crisis helpline on 1800 199 008.