First Samantha Murphy disappeared, then mother Rebecca Young died in a violent murder-suicide. Now Hannah McGuire has been murdered in Ballarat, as tragic new details emerge about the hours after her death
The usually quiet town of Ballarat is reeling after a third woman died under suspicious circumstances in just two months.
The Victorian town’s name has an Aboriginal meaning of ‘resting place’, but Ballarat has been anything but sleepy in recent weeks.
On February 4, a scorching summer day was marred by the disappearance of Samantha Murphy, a married mother of two who was last seen going for a Sunday morning run.
Patrick Orren Stephenson was charged with Mrs. Murphy’s murder in March, but by then another tragedy had rocked the city.
Mother-of-five Rebecca Young, 42, was killed in a suspected murder-suicide in Sebastopol in the city’s south on February 16. Alleged Bandidos gang member Ian Butler, 55, was also found dead.
The city was hit by a third tragedy on Friday after the body of bar worker Hannah McGuire was found in a burnt-out car on a rural road south of the city.
Her ex-boyfriend has since been charged with murder.
Samantha Murphy
Ms Murphy’s disappearance gripped the nation – and people around the world – after she went for a run on February 4 and did not return.
As the days and weeks passed, wild theories emerged on social media, including suggestions that she had fallen down a mineshaft or even disappeared deliberately.
But the speculation came to a shuddering halt when Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was arrested at a house near Ballarat on March 6.
Stephenson, who has no connection to the Murphy family, is the son of former AFL player Orren Stephenson – a respected member of the Ballarat community.
Police allege Ms Murphy was murdered in Mount Clear on February 4.
Mrs. Murphy’s disappearance gripped the nation
Patrick Orren Stephenson, 22, was arrested at a house near Ballarat on March 6
She would have turned 52 last week, but her family had to celebrate the day without her or even knowing where her body is, two months after she disappeared during her morning run in Ballarat East on February 4.
It was “the first birthday without Sam… That’s hard, but we have to face reality and realize she’s just not coming back,” her husband Mick Murphy told the Herald Sun.
He still searches for his wife’s body every day, while he and his family wait hopefully for any new developments from the police.
Michael misses Samantha all the time, but he tries to keep his spirits up, saying, “I have to be strong myself and take care of everyone around me.”
Rebecca Young
Ms Young, 42, was found dead at a property on the outskirts of Ballarat on the evening of February 16, with her partner Ian Butler, who has links to the Bandidos motorcycle gang.
It’s clear she’s been stabbed.
A neighbor told reporters outside the Sebastopol estate that Ms Young’s distraught parents had arrived late on Friday evening and could be heard saying: “I told you to leave him.”
Neighbors also described “wailing” coming from the home.
Ms Young, 42, was found dead at a property on the outskirts of Ballarat on the evening of February 16
Ian Butler, who has links to the Bandidos motorcycle gang, was also found dead
It is believed emergency services were called by others to the Morgan St property. Butler, 55, allegedly murdered Ms Young and then killed herself.
Four other people – including two of Ms Young’s teenage sons – were home at the time.
Police have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.
Hannah McGuire
Ms McGuire, 23, was found dead in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat, just before 10am on Friday.
The bar worker’s ex-boyfriend, Lachie Young, 21, has since been charged with murder.
It is believed that they recently broke up.
Ms McGuire, 23, was found dead in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat, just before 10am on Friday.
On the night Ms McGuire’s body was found, Young wrote on Facebook: “I will love you forever until we meet again, make that sky beautiful girl,” along with a photo of the couple and two love hearts, reported the Herald Sun.
Police will allege in court that Mr Young also texted friends of Ms McGuire claiming she had taken 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 message allegedly said.
Mrs McGuire, who worked at the local pub – The National Hotel – lived with Young until a week ago when she moved.
Clunes Cricket Club quickly organized one fundraising attempt to support Ms McGuire’s family with the costs of her funeral.
“Hannah was known by many as a smart young woman and had a heart of gold,” the post said.
The bar worker’s ex-boyfriend, Lachie Young, 21, has since been charged with murder
“As a club and community we want to wrap our arms around the McGuire family and everyone close to Hannah.”
On Monday, Hannah’s best friend Ballarat woman Caitlyn Stepnell posted a heartfelt tribute to the young woman.
She posted on Facebook about the young education assistant: ‘You will always be a sister to me’.
Criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro said the Murphy case and the discovery of Ms McGuire’s remains would have a “profound effect” on the community.
“I imagine they are reeling,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The discovery of the dead woman would be very shocking to them. On a more generic level, people are probably wondering how safe it is in that part of the world.”
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