Ballarat Woman's Body Found After Car Fire

Lachlan Young, 23, admitted to killing his former girlfriend Hannah McGuire on April 5, 2024. He then drove her body to bushland in Scarsdale, 25 kilometers southwest of Ballarat, and set the ute on fire. Young pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, claiming her death was unplanned. Distressing evidence was presented in court about where McGuire's body was found. Graphic photos were shown to jurors while her parents waited outside the courtroom. A man walking his dog found the burning car on the morning of April 5 and called emergency services. Victoria Police forensic officer Laura Noonan testified that the car had been burning for about six hours before it was discovered. McGuire's body was found lying on her left side facing the rear of the car.

The prosecution alleges that McGuire met Young at their former shared house on April 4. She was killed with murderous intent sometime after 1:50 am. Young then tried to cover up the murder by sending fake text messages from McGuire's phone and transferring money from her bank account. He also told a workmate about a plan to scare McGuire by drugging her and crashing a car with her unconscious behind the wheel. Police tracked the movements of McGuire, Young, and another man allegedly involved in disposing of McGuire's body. The jury visited the site where McGuire's remains were found and the house where she was allegedly killed.