UPDATE: Lachlan Young, 23, has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hannah McGuire, after a harrowing series of text messages were revealed in Victoria’s Supreme Court. The court heard shocking details of how Young sent messages to McGuire’s mother, Debbie, in a chilling attempt to cover up the crime moments after killing her daughter.
In the early hours of April 5, 2022, Young strangled McGuire during an argument at their former home in Sebastopol. Just 30 minutes later, he placed her body in the trunk of her car and drove it to a remote area near Scarsdale, where he set the vehicle on fire with her remains inside. Justice James Elliott described this act as an “extreme act of domestic violence.”
Young’s calculated attempts to deceive McGuire’s mother included sending a series of distressing messages from Hannah’s phone, which he used to fabricate a narrative that she had died by suicide. At 3:43 AM, he texted Debbie McGuire, saying, “I’m sorry, Mum. I thought this was the right decision.” These messages, aimed at creating a false narrative, were labeled “heart-wrenching” by Justice Elliott, who emphasized the cruelty of Young’s actions.
During the trial, Justice Elliott highlighted the emotional turmoil inflicted on McGuire’s family. Debbie McGuire, who shared her victim impact statement in court, revealed the profound grief and emptiness she feels after losing her daughter. “Hannah was everything the accused could never be,” she stated, expressing her enduring pain and the weight of her last words to Hannah.
The court heard that Young’s deception extended further when he transferred $5,000 from McGuire’s bank account to himself and sent $2,000 to her mother, further complicating the investigation. Even as he feigned concern over Hannah’s disappearance, he was actively misleading those searching for her.
Following the sentencing, Justice Elliott condemned the pervasive issue of domestic violence that continues to plague society, reiterating the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable individuals. “This case is yet another example of a male using violence and his superior strength to murder a vulnerable woman who trusted him,” he remarked.
As Young begins his prison term, serving a minimum of 22 years and four months before becoming eligible for parole, the haunting repercussions of his actions resonate deeply with McGuire’s family. Debbie McGuire’s resolve is clear: “I will never forget and I will never forgive,” she said, conveying the emotional burden she will carry for the rest of her life.
This tragic case underscores the urgent need for societal change and support for victims of domestic violence. As the community grapples with this heart-wrenching loss, the call for justice and awareness continues to grow.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
