A 21-year-old man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend allegedly texted her friends claiming she had taken her own life.
Lachie Young was charged with murder after police found the remains of Hannah McGuire, 23, in a burnt out car near State Forest Road, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, just before 10am on Friday.
Young, from Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives on Sunday and formally charged with her murder on Monday afternoon.
A 22-year-old was also arrested on Sunday afternoon but released without charge.
It’s understood that police will allege in court that Young texted friends of Ms McGuire suggesting she had ended her own life.
‘The police came and seen me Friday lunchtime and told me she had done it and wasn’t with us anymore. This is my fault,’ the text allegedly read.
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1.19am on Saturday.
He posted a photo of the couple with the caption: ‘I will forever love you until we meet again make that sky pretty beautiful girl’ with two love heart emojis.
Police discovered the remains of Hannah McGuire, 23, in a burnt out car near State Forest Rd, close to Scarsdale, south-west of Ballarat in Victoria, just before 10am on Friday
Lachie Young, 21, from Sebastopol, was arrested by detectives on Sunday and formally charged with her murder on Monday afternoon
Young and Ms McGuire had been in a relationship and were living together for the past year before they recently split, Daily Mail understands.
Ms McGuire, who worked at her family’s pub – The National Hotel in Clunes – had lived with Young up until a week ago when she moved.
In a post on the pub’s Facebook page, the McGuire family said they were ‘broken’.
‘The pub will be open as normal on Wednesday, we’ll leave you in the capable hands of Johnny Hind for a few days,’ the post read.
‘Thank you everyone for your love, support and kind words. Our hearts are broken.
‘You weren’t just a star to us. You were our whole damn sky. Miss you Princess!’
Almost 100 people expressed their condolences for the family in the comments with one woman describing Ms McGuire as a ‘beautiful soul’.
‘There was never a time I saw her when she didn’t have a smile on her face,’ she said.
‘There are no words – just the love of a district that will wrap its arms around you and hold you tight,’ another commented.
Ms McGuire, who worked at her family’s pub – The National Hotel in Clunes. In a post on the pub’s Facebook page the McGuire family said they were ‘broken’
Young also posted a tribute to his ex-girlfriend on Facebook at 1.19am on Saturday (pictured)
Clunes Cricket Club quickly organised a crowdfunding effort to support Ms McGuire’s family with the cost of her funeral.
‘Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold. As a club and a community, we want to put our arms around the McGuire family and everyone close to Hannah,’ the post read.
On Monday, Hannah’s best friend Caitlyn Stepnell posted a heartfelt tribute.
The Ballarat woman posted on Facebook about the young teaching support officer: ‘You will forever be a little sister to me’.
Alongside eight photographs of the two young women posing for selfies and out partying together, Ms Stepnell said she and Hannah had ‘over 10 years worth of friendship (which) will not be forgotten.
‘You were an amazing women, an amazing friend, an amazing support. You were my hype girl. I loved watching you become the women you were & watching you grow. I will miss you every single day,’ the post read.
One woman described Ms McGuire as a ‘beautiful soul’ who always had a smile on her face
‘My heart breaks, heaven has gained an angel. Goodbye for now, not forever. I love you Hannah McGuire. I will continue to make you proud.’
Young is scheduled to next face court on Tuesday.
It’s the latest tragedy to rock Ballarat following the alleged murder of mother-of-three Samantha Murphy in February.
Police arrested the mother’s alleged murderer, 22-year-old Patrick Stephenson, last month but have still to locate her remains.
Ms Murphy disappeared while on a morning jog on February 4. Police allege she was killed that day in Mt Clear, 15km from where the latest woman’s body was found.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
READ MORE: First Samantha Murphy vanished, then mum Rebecca Young died in a violent murder-suicide. Now Hannah McGuire has been killed in Ballarat
