The 21-year-old man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend appeared in court for the first time to face charges of her murder last Friday.
Lachie Young appeared in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court in regional Victoria on Tuesday after being charged with the murder of Hannah McGuire on Monday.
With a harder haircut, Young collapsed in the courtroom as a woman believed to be the mother of his alleged victim cried in her seat at the front of the courtroom.
The court heard Young would be held behind bars until his next court hearing in September.
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, just before 10am on Friday.
Little information was provided about Homicide Squad detectives’ case against the alleged killer.
The court heard that several crime scenes are still being investigated, with police searching CCTV footage.
Young’s lawyer complained to the court that police had not provided her with information about the allegations.
“They flew very fast,” she said.
The court heard it will take the prosecution 16 weeks to compile their evidence against Young.
Young’s attorney revealed it was her client’s first time in custody and he needed access to antidepressants.
It is understood Ms McGuire’s death was initially ruled a suicide after her body was found in a burnt-out car.
But a coroner’s report indicated she reportedly suffered fatal injuries before the vehicle burst into flames.
The remains of the victims were found just before 1am on Friday near State Forest Road, close to 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 on social media indicate that he had a good upbringing and had a good relationship with his parents until the day of his arrest.
His parents’ childhood home is a stone’s throw from the home in Sevastopol where detectives arrested him on Sunday.
A 22-year-old was also arrested that afternoon but was released without charge.
Lachie Young, 21, of Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives on Sunday and formally charged with murder on Monday afternoon
It is understood police will allege in court that Young texted friends of Ms McGuire suggesting she took her own life.
‘The police came to me on Friday afternoon and told me she had done it and was no longer with us. This is my fault,” the text allegedly reads.
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1:19 a.m. Saturday.
He posted a photo of the couple with the caption: “I will love you forever until we meet again, make that sky beautiful girl” with two love heart emojis.
Young and Ms McGuire were in a relationship and lived together for the past year before recently splitting up, Daily Mail Australia understands.
Mrs McGuire, who worked in her family’s pub – The National Hotel in Clunes – lived with Young until a week ago when she moved.
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 be leaving you in the capable hands of Johnny Hind for a few days,” the message read.
“Thank you everyone for your love, support and kind words. Our hearts are broken.
‘You weren’t just a star for us. You were our whole damn heaven. I miss you princess!’
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1:19 a.m. on Saturday (photo)
One woman described Mrs McGuire as a “beautiful soul” who always had a smile on her face