Lachlan Young has pleaded guilty to murdering his ex-partner Hannah McGuire, after the 23-year-old woman was found dead near her home in regional Victoria.
Young initially pleaded not guilty, but reversed this eight days into the murder trial.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
The murder of McGuire and alleged murders of other women in Ballarat triggered an outpouring of grief and protests calling for action against gender-based violence.
Hannah McGuire
Hannah McGuire was a 23-year-old educational support worker, living in Clunes, north of Ballarat.
Police found her body inside a burnt-out car in bushland near Ballarat in April 2024.
Her ex-boyfriend Lachlan Young was charged with murder shortly afterwards. Initially, Young asked to plead guilty to manslaughter, which usually carries a shorter sentence.
Trial
McGuire’s murder trial officially began last week.
During the eight days of evidence, the jury heard testimonies from McGuire’s parents and a friend of Young’s.
The court heard testimony that Young had a problem with alcohol, and planned to drug McGuire, place her behind the wheel of her car, and push it down a hill.
On Friday, Young pleaded guilty in a hearing at the Supreme Court in Ballarat.
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Local media reported McGuire’s family and friends were hugging and crying in the courtroom after Young changed his plea.
This means the remainder of the trial will not continue, including presenting evidence and hearing from further witnesses.
Instead, Justice James Elliott will hand down his sentence for Young at a later date. Murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Young is due to appear in court next week for a pre-sentencing hearing.
Local reaction
McGuire’s domestic violence case came as police opened a number of investigations into women being allegedly murdered in or near Ballarat.
This included Samantha Murphy, who went missing after going for a run in February last year. A trial over her murder is set for next year. Her body has never been found.
The Victorian Government launched an anti-domestic violence campaign concentrated in Ballarat following local protests calling for more action to combat gender-based violence.
