Accused killer of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire faces her family in court

Young did not apply for bail and Magistrate Guillaume Bailin remanded him in custody.

During the brief hearing, police prosecutor Senior Constable Steven Repac successfully applied for additional time to prepare the brief of evidence arguing the case was complex and spanned multiple crime scenes.

The parents of McGuire attended Ballarat Magistrates’ Court and faced their daughter’s alleged killer. Credit: Justin McManus

“There is a number of technical analysis of CCTV hard drives … including deleted material that needs to be obtained and re-examined if possible,” Repac told the court.

The court heard investigators are also seeking to obtain and analyse DNA evidence.

Court documents released to the media show Young is accused of murdering McGuire in Sebastopol, in Ballarat’s south, on Friday.

Outside the court, Brooke Tamanika, a lawyer speaking on behalf of the McGuire family, said the 23-year-old’s death had dealt a devastating blow to her loved ones and the community.

Brooke Tamanika, the lawyer who spoke on behalf of the McGuire family outside court.Credit: Justin McManus

“As you can imagine, this is a very devastating time for the family, for Hannah’s loved ones, and for our community as a whole,” Tamanika told reporters.

“The family have been assisting the police, however, I cannot comment on the status of the matter. I would ask that everyone is mindful of the family during this period of time, that you respect their privacy and you give them time to mourn the loss of Hannah.”

The body of McGuire, who has been remembered as “a bright young woman with a heart of gold” by friends and family, was found on Friday morning in a car set alight near State Forest Road in Scarsdale, about 25 kilometres south-west of Ballarat.

On Sunday, police arrested Young and a 22-year-old man in Sebastopol. The 22-year-old was released pending further enquiries and Young was charged with murder on Monday afternoon. Police have previously said the involved parties knew each other.

The Clunes Cricket Club has set up a fundraiser for McGuire’s family, who are well-known in the Clunes community and run the local pub, the National Hotel.

AFL footballer Nick Hind, who is from Clunes and now plays for Essendon, shared the fundraiser for the McGuire family on Instagram.

“Absolutely devastating. Such a kind and gentle person,” Hind wrote. “Rest in peace Hannah.”

Young will return to court in September.