A cricketer has been accused of stealing $65,000 from a GoFundMe set up to raise money for the grieving family of alleged murder victim Hannah McGuire.
Lachlan Morganti, 26, has been charged with theft after he allegedly stole a GoFundMe he had organized on behalf of Clunes Cricket Club.
Morganti, who played Grade A cricket for Victoria City, allegedly stole the money to feed an alleged gambling addiction.
He was released on bail to appear at Ballarat Magistrates Court later this month after Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit detectives struck this week.
Hannah McGuire’s loved ones have been dealt another cruel blow after $65,000 was allegedly stolen from a GoFundMe fundraiser for her grieving parents (Ms McGuire is pictured).
Lachlan Morganti, 26 (pictured right), has been charged with robbery.
The GoFundMe for Ms McGuire’s family has since been taken down (pictured).
The cruel blow comes just two months after McGuire, 23, was allegedly murdered by her ex-partner, Lachlan Young, 21.
Family friend Christine Hill criticized the alleged robbery as “unthinkable and cowardly actions” on a community Facebook page.
“In a time when we felt so helpless, coming together as a community to raise money for the McGuires was like a small ray of light to shine a light on a family that has been through hell,” Hill wrote.
“I am absolutely devastated to learn that the Go-FindMe money of $66,294 was never given to Glenn and Debbie (now a police matter).
‘These unthinkable and cowardly actions have tarnished what should have been a beautiful and kind gesture of help.
“I never thought Debbie and Glenn would have to deal with this.”
Ms McGuire’s family were emotional outside Ballarat Magistrates Court in April.
Donors were encouraged to file a claim on GoFundMe to get their money back and Ms Hill shared the couples’ banking details for people to make direct donations.
The fundraiser has since been withdrawn and a GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the “alleged misuse of funds.”
“The GoFundMe Trust and Safety team is aware of this alleged misuse of funds and will work with authorities and all parties to reach a resolution,” it said.
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered in a burnt-out car near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, on April 5.
Ms McGuire had bought a house with Young just under a year before he allegedly murdered her (the former couple is pictured posing outside the house)
It is still unknown how or why Young (pictured) is alleged to have murdered Ms McGuire.
It is still unknown how or why Young is alleged to have murdered Ms McGuire. He will remain behind bars until her next court appearance in September.
Ms McGuire had bought a house with Young just under a year before he allegedly murdered her.
She was photographed smiling from ear to ear next to a large “sold” sign alongside her then-partner outside their home 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.
She had lived with Young until a week before she was allegedly murdered.
His death was initially ruled a suicide, but The coroner’s report stated that he had allegedly suffered fatal injuries before the car was engulfed in flames.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the crisis helpline on 1800 199 008.
