Revealing the similarities between the suspected killers of Sam Murphy and Hannah McGuire
The two men separately accused of murdering a mother-of-three and a young woman in Ballarat were both in their early 20s and are believed to have grown up in supportive households.
The community of the regional Victorian city, west of Melbourne, has been rocked by a wave of tragedies in the past two months.
Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her East Ballarat home to go for a run on the morning of February 4.
Police believe she was murdered on the same day, but searches for her remains have been unsuccessful.
Locals were again shocked on Friday by news of the death of Hannah McGuire, 23, whose remains were found in a burnt-out car near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat.
Samantha Murphy, 51, was last seen leaving her East Ballarat home to go for a run on the morning of February 4
Hannah McGuire was found dead in a burnt-out car south-west of Ballarat on Friday
Ms Murphy’s disappearance sparked a significant local effort to find her, which lasted until the arrest of local man Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, on March 6.
He has been charged with her murder and will remain 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 locally in the area in Scotsburn, just 15 minutes away from East Ballarat.
Lachie Young, 21, has been charged with Ms McGuire’s murder.
It is understood that the couple had recently split after living together for the past year.
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, has been charged with Ms Murphy’s alleged murder
Lachie Young, 21, has now been charged with Ms McGuire’s alleged murder
Daily Mail Australia revealed on Monday that Ms McGuire had desperately tried to obtain an intervention order against a man in the days before she was murdered.
It is understood her death was initially ruled a suicide before a coroner’s report revealed she had suffered fatal injuries before her alleged death in a car.
The remains of that car were found on Friday near State Forest Road, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria.
It can further be revealed that Mrs. McGuire had been friends with Young’s sister Bek Young.
Images of Young obtained via social media indicate that he had a good upbringing and remained close to his parents.
His parents’ childhood home is a stone’s throw from the home in Sevastopol where detectives arrested him on Sunday.
Young faced the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he was told he would remain behind bars until his next hearing in September.
Outside court, Ms McGuire’s devastated parents, Glenn and Debbie and her brother, stood back in grief as Ballarat lawyer Brook Tamanika made a statement on their behalf to the waiting media pack.
Outside court, Ms McGuire’s devastated parents, Glenn and Debbie, and her brother stood back as lawyer Brook Tamanika made a statement on their behalf to the 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,” she said.
“The family has assisted the police, but I cannot comment on the status of the case.”
According to the charges against both Stephenson and McGuire, they were each held in custody for the first time.
It is also believed that both men were raised in supportive and loving homes.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.