‘Awful from the outset’: Parents of murdered teacher’s aide Hannah McGuire speak out
The parents of a young woman killed by her abusive ex-boyfriend in regional Victoria say they have a “gut feeling” it was never the suicide she had planned.
Hannah McGuire, 23, was strangled to death by Lachlan Young, 23, in the home they once shared in Ballarat on the morning of April 5.
The teacher’s aide was arguing with Young about ending their relationship when he attacked Young.
Young then drove Ms McGuire’s body to a deserted wooded area in his own car and set the vehicle on fire, sending a message to her family to make her death look like a suicide.
Speaking since Young’s sentencing, mother Debbie McGuire said she “felt deep down” that her daughter’s death was never a suicide.
“Hannah had very strong ideas about suicide and we knew it was something she wouldn’t do,” he told A Current Affair.
Young was sentenced in November to 28 years in prison with a non-parole period of 22 years and four months.
Ms McGuire and her husband Glenn said they were unable to read a victim impact statement in court.
Upon learning of her daughter’s death, Ms. McGuire said she “screamed and screamed and screamed and I think I fell to the floor.”
“It was terrible. You know… our whole world changed in that moment,” he said.
As for Young, Ms. McGuire said he was “terrible from the very beginning.”
“He is calculating, impulsive and dangerous. There is a distinct lack of empathy,” he said.
“I hope the defendant experiences the most intense pain imaginable every day for the rest of his life.”
Ms McGuire said it was “hard to sit back and watch” as her daughter’s relationship with Young spiraled.
The couple started living together within a few months.
The relationship between the couple deteriorated rapidly over the next year.
Domestic abuse helplines
Ms McGuire said Young’s behavior started as “little things” such as mean comments and then escalated into “just really controlling behaviour”.
She said she began talking to her daughter about “how domestic violence situations play out and can result in death.”
She even talked to her daughter about needing to pack a safe bag and make an escape plan.
“As a parent, it was hard to sit back and watch this,” Ms. McGuire said.
“But you know we are talking about a young woman, you know I can’t take her home, tie her up and let her go out.
“You know, ultimately it was his choice. And yes, it was difficult because we couldn’t control it.”
Asked what she thought her daughter’s legacy would be, Ms. McGuire said “more education about domestic violence and respectful relationships.”
“I think the big takeaway for me is that we should have a mandatory minimum sentence for murder in Victoria,” he said.
