Woman charged over daughter's murder taken to hospital
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said.
Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency.
Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital.
"Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit.
"It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.
Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday.
Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm.
When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds.
She died at the scene.
A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife.
Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured.
Both are in the care of their father.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation.
Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene.
"It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday.
A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised.
Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room.
"Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said.
"Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister.
"Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said.
Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency.
Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital.
"Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit.
"It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.
Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday.
Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm.
When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds.
She died at the scene.
A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife.
Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured.
Both are in the care of their father.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation.
Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene.
"It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday.
A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised.
Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room.
"Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said.
"Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister.
"Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said.
Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency.
Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital.
"Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit.
"It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.
Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday.
Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm.
When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds.
She died at the scene.
A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife.
Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured.
Both are in the care of their father.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation.
Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene.
"It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday.
A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised.
Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room.
"Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said.
"Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister.
"Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
A mother accused of fatally stabbing her three-year-old daughter has been rushed to hospital after being found unresponsive.
Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre on Friday night, police said.
Queensland's Corrective Services said officers had responded to Flanigan suffering a medical emergency.
Paramedics were called and transported the woman to the hospital.
"Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues," corrective services said in a statement.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the matter, which is "still unfolding", is under investigation by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit.
"It's awfully sad, the whole circumstance of the situation, and that matter is under investigation," he told reporters in Brisbane on Saturday.
Flanigan was being held in custody until her next court appearance in July after being charged with murder on Monday.
Neighbours had called triple-zero after seeing a young child unresponsive in the front yard of a Moore Park Beach home, north of Bundaberg, about 4.45pm.
When emergency services arrived at the home, they found a three-year-old girl, identified as Flanigan's daughter Sophia Rose, with several wounds.
She died at the scene.
A crime scene was established at the property, where police seized a knife.
Police had said two other children, aged one and two, were also at the property at the time, but neither was injured.
Both are in the care of their father.
Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip said at the time that mental health and any prior interactions with police would likely form part of the investigation.
Supt Inskip said first responders had encountered a "horrific" scene.
"It's a terrible, terrible incident for everybody," he said on Tuesday.
A GoFundMe has been established for the children and their father, with more than $48,000 raised.
Family friend Connor Thompson, who has organised the fundraiser, remembered Sophia as a sweet child with an infectious laugh that could light up the room.
"Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold," the fundraiser said.
"Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister.
"Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever."
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
Parents of Declan Phillips, 14, fatally struck by car in Brisbane break silence after tragic incident involving teen driver
The parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in Queensland have spoken publicly following the tragic incident, sharing their 'unbearable' pain. Wynnum State High School student Declan Phillips was walking to school on Wednesday when he was hit by Pajero, with emergency services rushing to the scene about 8.20am. Declan sadly died at the scene of the crash on Berrima St in Wynnum, which was about one kilometre away from the school. The 17-year-old driver, was uninjured in the incident along with a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy who were passengers. The Courier Mail reports the 14-year-old's parents, Lily and and Daniel Phillips, have since released a statement expressing their gratitude to the first responders who attended the crash and sympathising with the teen driver and their family. 'The pain we are feeling is unbearable but we don't know how much worse it would be without the support we have had,' their statement on Friday read. 'We're thankful for all of our family and friends who have surrounded us in love at this time." The parents shared what their son loved to do outside of school and the communities he had been a part of, including playing soccer and his involvement in Scouts. 'We have seen all the beautiful flowers at the roundabout where Declan passed. We would like to have a permanent memorial for Declan placed at the tree at some time,' they said. 'We feel for the driver and his family, he is only a little older than Declan. Declan was looking forward to learning to drive too. What happened to you both could have happened to anyone.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Declan's family with burial and funeral costs, and the fundraiser has already raised over $66,000. A family friend said they are also hoping to use any surplus funds to create a public plaque in memory of the 14-year-old. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' the family friend wrote on the GoFundMe page. 'He had already started saving towards his first car. He was proud of his achievements and his friends and family were proud of him." In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Wynnum State High School Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of a student. 'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation,' the principal said. Police are investigating Wednesday's incident.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Hannah McGuire: Here is a complete timeline of the murder that devastated a town
The Supreme Court trial of Lachlan Young came to an abrupt end on Friday, after the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner, Hannah McGuire. The change of plea came eight days into the murder trial, after several witnesses, including Ms McGuire's parents, were called to give evidence to the jury. Preparations are being made for Young's eventual sentencing on the single charge of murder. Here is what has happened so far in the case, which has both devastated and brought together a community. Hannah McGuire's body is found in a burnt-out car in bushland near Scarsdale - April 5, 2024. A man walking his dog was the first to call in the burnt-out Mitsubishi Triton after discovering the wreckage in the early morning of April 5, 2024. CFA crews arrived at the scene in the Ross Creek State Forest to find Ms McGuire's remains in the vehicle. Ms McGuire was last seen by her parents on the night before, sharing a meal with her netball clubmates at the National Hotel in Clunes, which the family owns. Lachlan Young is arrested and charged with murder Homicide Squad detectives charged Ms McGuire's former partner with her murder on April 9, 2024. The couple had owned a house together in Sebastopol, but had separated in the months prior to Ms McGuire's murder. The Clunes Cricket Club established a GoFundMe to help support the McGuire family, which raised more than $11,000 in its first four hours. A workmate of Young's, Benjamin O'Keefe, was also arrested in relation to the murder, but was not charged. Young appeared for the first time at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court, and a statement on behalf of the McGuire family was delivered outside the courthouse by their solicitor, Brooke Tamanika. Calls for change grew in the Ballarat community, as Ms McGuire became the third woman in the city to be allegedly murdered by a man in the first half of 2024. Ms McGuire was laid to rest at a funeral in Ballarat on April 29, 2024, attended by about 600 people. Lachlan Morganti is charged with stealing money from Hannah's GoFundMe A man associated with the Clunes Cricket Club, and known to the McGuire family, Lachlan Morganti, is charged with stealing over $60,000 from the GoFundMe established after her death. Morganti used the money to fuel his online gambling addiction and was reported to police after transferring a portion of the winnings to his friends, who realised where the money had come from. He later admitted to the McGuire family that he had lost all of the money. A magistrate called Morganti's crime one of the "most self-indulgent acts of greed" she had seen in her career. Debbie McGuire called Morganti's actions "vile". "He had the audacity to attend [Hannah McGuire's] funeral, where he was amongst the very people who contributed to the GoFundMe, whose money he had gambled away," she said. "I'm heartbroken for those who financially contributed when they didn't know what they could do for us, I have faith the adjudication will be one that is considerate on our family and the community." Morganti avoided jail and was placed on a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to the theft. Lachlan Young pleads not guilty to murdering Hannah McGuire At a hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on September 19, 2024, Young pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. He appeared remotely in the court from custody. The courtroom was filled with supporters of the McGuire family, each wearing shirts with her face on them and the words "she matters". Young elected to have the trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, skipping the usual committal process in the Magistrates' Court. The trial begins and ends after Lachlan Young changes his plea The Supreme Court murder trial began on July 8, sitting in Ballarat. Young's legal team conceded that Young had killed Ms McGuire, but that the death was accidental and without murderous intent. The trial went for eight days, with the jury hearing from several witnesses. Young's colleague, Benjamin O'Keefe, is a key prosecution witness who told the court he had driven out to Scarsdale with Young on the morning of Ms McGuire's murder. He said Young had set Ms McGuire's orange Mitsubishi Triton on fire with a blow torch, but denied ever seeing her body inside the vehicle. Mr O'Keefe's cross-examination had finished on Wednesday, July 16, and the court was due to hear from more prosecution witnesses. The trial was adjourned on Thursday, July 17, due to "issues that arose overnight". Supreme Court Justice James Elliott did not elaborate on what the issues were. On the morning of Friday, July 18, Young changed his plea, and pleaded guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. Young will return to court on July 25. Affected by this story? Call Lifeline 13 11 14 The Supreme Court trial of Lachlan Young came to an abrupt end on Friday, after the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner, Hannah McGuire. The change of plea came eight days into the murder trial, after several witnesses, including Ms McGuire's parents, were called to give evidence to the jury. Preparations are being made for Young's eventual sentencing on the single charge of murder. Here is what has happened so far in the case, which has both devastated and brought together a community. Hannah McGuire's body is found in a burnt-out car in bushland near Scarsdale - April 5, 2024. A man walking his dog was the first to call in the burnt-out Mitsubishi Triton after discovering the wreckage in the early morning of April 5, 2024. CFA crews arrived at the scene in the Ross Creek State Forest to find Ms McGuire's remains in the vehicle. Ms McGuire was last seen by her parents on the night before, sharing a meal with her netball clubmates at the National Hotel in Clunes, which the family owns. Lachlan Young is arrested and charged with murder Homicide Squad detectives charged Ms McGuire's former partner with her murder on April 9, 2024. The couple had owned a house together in Sebastopol, but had separated in the months prior to Ms McGuire's murder. The Clunes Cricket Club established a GoFundMe to help support the McGuire family, which raised more than $11,000 in its first four hours. A workmate of Young's, Benjamin O'Keefe, was also arrested in relation to the murder, but was not charged. Young appeared for the first time at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court, and a statement on behalf of the McGuire family was delivered outside the courthouse by their solicitor, Brooke Tamanika. Calls for change grew in the Ballarat community, as Ms McGuire became the third woman in the city to be allegedly murdered by a man in the first half of 2024. Ms McGuire was laid to rest at a funeral in Ballarat on April 29, 2024, attended by about 600 people. Lachlan Morganti is charged with stealing money from Hannah's GoFundMe A man associated with the Clunes Cricket Club, and known to the McGuire family, Lachlan Morganti, is charged with stealing over $60,000 from the GoFundMe established after her death. Morganti used the money to fuel his online gambling addiction and was reported to police after transferring a portion of the winnings to his friends, who realised where the money had come from. He later admitted to the McGuire family that he had lost all of the money. A magistrate called Morganti's crime one of the "most self-indulgent acts of greed" she had seen in her career. Debbie McGuire called Morganti's actions "vile". "He had the audacity to attend [Hannah McGuire's] funeral, where he was amongst the very people who contributed to the GoFundMe, whose money he had gambled away," she said. "I'm heartbroken for those who financially contributed when they didn't know what they could do for us, I have faith the adjudication will be one that is considerate on our family and the community." Morganti avoided jail and was placed on a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to the theft. Lachlan Young pleads not guilty to murdering Hannah McGuire At a hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on September 19, 2024, Young pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. He appeared remotely in the court from custody. The courtroom was filled with supporters of the McGuire family, each wearing shirts with her face on them and the words "she matters". Young elected to have the trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, skipping the usual committal process in the Magistrates' Court. The trial begins and ends after Lachlan Young changes his plea The Supreme Court murder trial began on July 8, sitting in Ballarat. Young's legal team conceded that Young had killed Ms McGuire, but that the death was accidental and without murderous intent. The trial went for eight days, with the jury hearing from several witnesses. Young's colleague, Benjamin O'Keefe, is a key prosecution witness who told the court he had driven out to Scarsdale with Young on the morning of Ms McGuire's murder. He said Young had set Ms McGuire's orange Mitsubishi Triton on fire with a blow torch, but denied ever seeing her body inside the vehicle. Mr O'Keefe's cross-examination had finished on Wednesday, July 16, and the court was due to hear from more prosecution witnesses. The trial was adjourned on Thursday, July 17, due to "issues that arose overnight". Supreme Court Justice James Elliott did not elaborate on what the issues were. On the morning of Friday, July 18, Young changed his plea, and pleaded guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. Young will return to court on July 25. Affected by this story? Call Lifeline 13 11 14 The Supreme Court trial of Lachlan Young came to an abrupt end on Friday, after the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner, Hannah McGuire. The change of plea came eight days into the murder trial, after several witnesses, including Ms McGuire's parents, were called to give evidence to the jury. Preparations are being made for Young's eventual sentencing on the single charge of murder. Here is what has happened so far in the case, which has both devastated and brought together a community. Hannah McGuire's body is found in a burnt-out car in bushland near Scarsdale - April 5, 2024. A man walking his dog was the first to call in the burnt-out Mitsubishi Triton after discovering the wreckage in the early morning of April 5, 2024. CFA crews arrived at the scene in the Ross Creek State Forest to find Ms McGuire's remains in the vehicle. Ms McGuire was last seen by her parents on the night before, sharing a meal with her netball clubmates at the National Hotel in Clunes, which the family owns. Lachlan Young is arrested and charged with murder Homicide Squad detectives charged Ms McGuire's former partner with her murder on April 9, 2024. The couple had owned a house together in Sebastopol, but had separated in the months prior to Ms McGuire's murder. The Clunes Cricket Club established a GoFundMe to help support the McGuire family, which raised more than $11,000 in its first four hours. A workmate of Young's, Benjamin O'Keefe, was also arrested in relation to the murder, but was not charged. Young appeared for the first time at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court, and a statement on behalf of the McGuire family was delivered outside the courthouse by their solicitor, Brooke Tamanika. Calls for change grew in the Ballarat community, as Ms McGuire became the third woman in the city to be allegedly murdered by a man in the first half of 2024. Ms McGuire was laid to rest at a funeral in Ballarat on April 29, 2024, attended by about 600 people. Lachlan Morganti is charged with stealing money from Hannah's GoFundMe A man associated with the Clunes Cricket Club, and known to the McGuire family, Lachlan Morganti, is charged with stealing over $60,000 from the GoFundMe established after her death. Morganti used the money to fuel his online gambling addiction and was reported to police after transferring a portion of the winnings to his friends, who realised where the money had come from. He later admitted to the McGuire family that he had lost all of the money. A magistrate called Morganti's crime one of the "most self-indulgent acts of greed" she had seen in her career. Debbie McGuire called Morganti's actions "vile". "He had the audacity to attend [Hannah McGuire's] funeral, where he was amongst the very people who contributed to the GoFundMe, whose money he had gambled away," she said. "I'm heartbroken for those who financially contributed when they didn't know what they could do for us, I have faith the adjudication will be one that is considerate on our family and the community." Morganti avoided jail and was placed on a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to the theft. Lachlan Young pleads not guilty to murdering Hannah McGuire At a hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on September 19, 2024, Young pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. He appeared remotely in the court from custody. The courtroom was filled with supporters of the McGuire family, each wearing shirts with her face on them and the words "she matters". Young elected to have the trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, skipping the usual committal process in the Magistrates' Court. The trial begins and ends after Lachlan Young changes his plea The Supreme Court murder trial began on July 8, sitting in Ballarat. Young's legal team conceded that Young had killed Ms McGuire, but that the death was accidental and without murderous intent. The trial went for eight days, with the jury hearing from several witnesses. Young's colleague, Benjamin O'Keefe, is a key prosecution witness who told the court he had driven out to Scarsdale with Young on the morning of Ms McGuire's murder. He said Young had set Ms McGuire's orange Mitsubishi Triton on fire with a blow torch, but denied ever seeing her body inside the vehicle. Mr O'Keefe's cross-examination had finished on Wednesday, July 16, and the court was due to hear from more prosecution witnesses. The trial was adjourned on Thursday, July 17, due to "issues that arose overnight". Supreme Court Justice James Elliott did not elaborate on what the issues were. On the morning of Friday, July 18, Young changed his plea, and pleaded guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. Young will return to court on July 25. Affected by this story? Call Lifeline 13 11 14 The Supreme Court trial of Lachlan Young came to an abrupt end on Friday, after the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering his former partner, Hannah McGuire. The change of plea came eight days into the murder trial, after several witnesses, including Ms McGuire's parents, were called to give evidence to the jury. Preparations are being made for Young's eventual sentencing on the single charge of murder. Here is what has happened so far in the case, which has both devastated and brought together a community. Hannah McGuire's body is found in a burnt-out car in bushland near Scarsdale - April 5, 2024. A man walking his dog was the first to call in the burnt-out Mitsubishi Triton after discovering the wreckage in the early morning of April 5, 2024. CFA crews arrived at the scene in the Ross Creek State Forest to find Ms McGuire's remains in the vehicle. Ms McGuire was last seen by her parents on the night before, sharing a meal with her netball clubmates at the National Hotel in Clunes, which the family owns. Lachlan Young is arrested and charged with murder Homicide Squad detectives charged Ms McGuire's former partner with her murder on April 9, 2024. The couple had owned a house together in Sebastopol, but had separated in the months prior to Ms McGuire's murder. The Clunes Cricket Club established a GoFundMe to help support the McGuire family, which raised more than $11,000 in its first four hours. A workmate of Young's, Benjamin O'Keefe, was also arrested in relation to the murder, but was not charged. Young appeared for the first time at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court, and a statement on behalf of the McGuire family was delivered outside the courthouse by their solicitor, Brooke Tamanika. Calls for change grew in the Ballarat community, as Ms McGuire became the third woman in the city to be allegedly murdered by a man in the first half of 2024. Ms McGuire was laid to rest at a funeral in Ballarat on April 29, 2024, attended by about 600 people. Lachlan Morganti is charged with stealing money from Hannah's GoFundMe A man associated with the Clunes Cricket Club, and known to the McGuire family, Lachlan Morganti, is charged with stealing over $60,000 from the GoFundMe established after her death. Morganti used the money to fuel his online gambling addiction and was reported to police after transferring a portion of the winnings to his friends, who realised where the money had come from. He later admitted to the McGuire family that he had lost all of the money. A magistrate called Morganti's crime one of the "most self-indulgent acts of greed" she had seen in her career. Debbie McGuire called Morganti's actions "vile". "He had the audacity to attend [Hannah McGuire's] funeral, where he was amongst the very people who contributed to the GoFundMe, whose money he had gambled away," she said. "I'm heartbroken for those who financially contributed when they didn't know what they could do for us, I have faith the adjudication will be one that is considerate on our family and the community." Morganti avoided jail and was placed on a two-year community corrections order after pleading guilty to the theft. Lachlan Young pleads not guilty to murdering Hannah McGuire At a hearing at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on September 19, 2024, Young pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. He appeared remotely in the court from custody. The courtroom was filled with supporters of the McGuire family, each wearing shirts with her face on them and the words "she matters". Young elected to have the trial fast-tracked to the Supreme Court, skipping the usual committal process in the Magistrates' Court. The trial begins and ends after Lachlan Young changes his plea The Supreme Court murder trial began on July 8, sitting in Ballarat. Young's legal team conceded that Young had killed Ms McGuire, but that the death was accidental and without murderous intent. The trial went for eight days, with the jury hearing from several witnesses. Young's colleague, Benjamin O'Keefe, is a key prosecution witness who told the court he had driven out to Scarsdale with Young on the morning of Ms McGuire's murder. He said Young had set Ms McGuire's orange Mitsubishi Triton on fire with a blow torch, but denied ever seeing her body inside the vehicle. Mr O'Keefe's cross-examination had finished on Wednesday, July 16, and the court was due to hear from more prosecution witnesses. The trial was adjourned on Thursday, July 17, due to "issues that arose overnight". Supreme Court Justice James Elliott did not elaborate on what the issues were. On the morning of Friday, July 18, Young changed his plea, and pleaded guilty to murdering Ms McGuire. Young will return to court on July 25. Affected by this story? Call Lifeline 13 11 14
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tributes flow for Wynnum student Declan Phillips, killed on his walk to school
Tributes have flowed for a 14-year-old boy who was killed as he walked to school at Wynnum this week. Declan Phillips died on Wednesday after he was hit by a Mitsubishi Pajero near the notoriously low Wynnum Rail Bridge, known colloquially as the 'Duck Bridge'. With a clearance of just 1.9 metres, it is the lowest bridge in Brisbane. Declan was a student at nearby Wynnum State High School and played for the Wynnum Wolves Football Club. Family friend Lisa Axam, who has started a GoFundMe page for funeral costs, said Declan died on a walk to school that he did every day. She remembered him as a talented mathematician and woodworker, who loved camping, collecting model cars, Lego engineering and fitness. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' she said. 'Recently he made a camping stool out of canvas and wood and was looking forward to presenting it to his mum Lily for her birthday this weekend. He was also looking forward to making a wooden racing car in woodwork next term.
