Inside Hannah McGuire’s funeral: Footy stars and students gather to farewell ‘heart of gold’ teacher after she was allegedly murdered by her ex – as her brother is freed from prison to attend her funeral
Hundreds have gathered to say goodbye to Hannah McGuire at a moving funeral service, including AFL stars and her jailed brother, who was released to attend the funeral.
Ms McGuire’s body was discovered on April 5 in a burnt-out car near State Forest Rd, near Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria. Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged over the alleged murder of his ex-partner.
Essendon captain Zack Merrett and teammate Jake Stringer were among mourners who left a Ballarat funeral home on Monday to pay their last respects to the 23-year-old teacher’s assistant.
Merrett and Stringer are said to be close friends of Mrs McGuire’s parents, who own a pub in the rural town of Clunes.
Prison guards were seen escorting Hannah McGuire’s brother, Fletcher McGuire. into the chapel before taking him back to prison after the service.
McGuire was sentenced to four years and five months for car theft, just days after his sister was allegedly murdered.
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.
Essendon champion Jake Stringer (right) was among hundreds of mourners who said goodbye to Hannah McGuire on Monday
Western Bulldogs skipper Zach Merrett is pictured
Hannah McGuire’s brother, Jude McGuire, is pictured (left)
His father was seen comforting him and his other son Jude as the hearse made its way to the cemetery.
In the saddest scenes, Mr McGuire could not bring himself to let his daughter go and walked alone behind the hearse as it drove away.
The beloved teacher’s students paid tribute to her in a moving video played during the ceremony.
Some students were seen outside the chapel with their devastated parents.
One by one, the children from Delacombe Primary School looked into the camera and bravely shared how much Mrs McGuire had meant to them.
“Hannah wasn’t just a teacher, she was a friend and we will miss her,” one child said.
“She gave me hugs. I loved her immensely. She hhelped us when we needed her,” said another.
One by one, they talked about a woman who cared about them and went out of her way to make them feel good about themselves.
“She always made me laugh and it was a joy to see her every day,” said one student.
“She was always happy and had a smile on her face… I wish she could come back, but she can’t.”
A prison guard prepares to escort Fletcher McGuire to the service
Mourners say goodbye to Hannah McGuire at the end of the service
Mourners were forced to stand outside the chapel to listen to the service
Tears flowed for Hannah McGuire at her funeral in Ballarat on Monday
Leading the service, celebrant Jenny Funston made it clear that Mrs McGuire’s life made a difference to many.
“She died before her time, far too early and far too young,” she told mourners.
“Hannah mattered.”
Mourners heard how important Mrs McGuire was to her family, with her mother Debbie describing her impact on everyone who knew her.
‘She touched our lives…her mThe feeling is etched in our souls,” said the heartbroken mother.
“Her presence made everything feel right.”
Ms. McGuire’s friend Nicole van Berkel told moving stories about her friend’s upbringing.
Hannah McGuire’s friends and family attended her funeral in the hundreds
Friends and family of Hannah McGuire at Monday’s service
Young mourners gathered at Hannah McGuire’s funeral
They told a story of kindness, determination and compassion for everyone in her company.
But Ms. McGuire had also been a fierce competitor.
“She would never back down,” her friend said.
Like Ms. Funston before her, Ms. Van Berkel made it clear that her friend’s life had made a difference.
“She would want us to find joy even in this sadness,” she said.
“Always remember that you mattered.”
Autumn leaves fell from the trees as mourners watched a photo montage of Mrs. McGuire’s short life.
It remains unknown how and why Young allegedly killed his former partner.
Sporting a mullet haircut, the 21-year-old collapsed in court as the grief-stricken mother of his alleged victim cried in her seat at the front of the courtroom following his arrest earlier this month.
The court heard Young would be held behind bars until his next court hearing in September.
Hannah McGuire (left) had bought a house with her alleged killer just a year before he allegedly killed her
Sporting a mullet 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.
Images of Young on social media indicate that he had a good upbringing and remained close to his parents
Mrs. McGuire had bwas supposed to have a house with her ex-boyfriend just under a year before he allegedly killed her.
Smiling from ear to ear, the 23-year-old posed next to a large ‘sold’ sign next to her then partner outside the home in Sebastopol, near Ballarat in regional Victoria.
The snapshot of happiness was taken almost a year ago before Young appeared in court charged with Ms McGuire’s murder.
Ms McGuire’s body was found just before 1am on Friday near State Forest Road, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria.
Her death was initially ruled a suicide after her body was found in a burned-out car.
But a coroner’s report indicated she reportedly suffered fatal injuries before the vehicle burst into flames.
Ms McGuire had lived with Young until a week before she was allegedly murdered.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.