Lachlan Young has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder of 23-year-old Hannah McGuire. The sentencing took place on November 18, 2025, in the Supreme Court in Ballarat. Young, also 23, pleaded guilty to strangling McGuire in the early hours of April 5, 2024, after she attempted to end their abusive relationship.

The courtroom was filled with nearly 100 people as Justice James Elliot delivered the sentence, which includes a non-parole period of 22 years and four months. Young's actions following the murder were particularly heinous. After killing McGuire, he placed her body in the rear footwell of her vehicle, drove it to a remote area in Scarsdale, and set both the car and her body on fire. He then attempted to stage her death as a suicide by sending a text to her mother that included a fabricated suicide note and transferring $5,000 from her bank account to his own.

Justice Elliot described the case as a tragic example of a man using violence against a vulnerable woman who had trusted him. He noted, "Your interaction towards Ms. McGuire had all the hallmarks of an abusive and domineering relationship. You were brazen; your unacceptable behavior was frequently witnessed by others."

The court heard testimony from friends and coworkers of McGuire, who described Young's behavior as aggressive and degrading throughout their two-and-a-half-year relationship. One friend testified that Young had even planned to drug McGuire and stage a car accident to intimidate her after their breakup.

Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Hannah McGuire was a much-loved and deeply missed young woman, whose life was taken because the offender wouldn't allow her to live a life beyond his relationship with her. Women are entitled to end relationships without it resulting in their death."

Churchill also highlighted the broader issue of intimate partner violence, calling it a national emergency. She remarked, "All too often, men come before the court, having killed their partner or former partner."

The case has drawn attention to the urgent need for addressing domestic violence and protecting victims. Support services are available for those affected by similar issues, including hotlines for crisis assistance and counseling.