Man, 21, charged with murder after 23-year-old woman’s body found in burnt out car

A man has been charged with murder after a young woman's body was found in a burnt out car.

Hannah McGuire's remains were discovered by emergency services who were to a car fire at State Forest Rd in Scarsdale, Australia, at about 10am on Friday morning (5 April).

The late 23-year-old had been living with her boyfriend, Lachie Young, 21, for about a year before they split up recently, the Herald Sun reports.

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Young, McGuire's ex-boyfriend, has since been accused of the killing of the young woman and is set to face Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (9 April).

Around 20 minutes after 1am on Saturday morning (6 April), Young reportedly posted a photo of himself and McGuire with the caption: "I will love you until we meet again make the sky pretty beautiful girl."

He was arrested by homicide detectives a day later on Sunday afternoon (7 April) and was charged with murder on Monday (8 April).

A fundraiser has since been set up for the grieving family by the Clunes Cricket Club, which is sponsored by McGuire's parents, Glenn and Debbie.

The fundraiser reads: "As a community we send our deepest love and condolences... Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of golf.

"Glenn and Debbie sponsor the Clunes Cricket Club and are very generous people. As a club and a community, we want to put our arms around the McGuire family and everyone close to Hannah."

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Other tributes have since flooded in for the young woman with Eureka Netball Club posting a heartfelt message about its former player.

The post read: "Sending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of our past player, Hannah McGuire. Eureka Netball Club extend our deepest sympathy."

A friend of the victim, Caitlyn Stepnell, also took to social media saying that McGuire would 'forever be a little sister to me'.

"You were an amazing women, an amazing friend, an amazing support / you were my hype girl," she said.

"I loved watching you become the women you were and watching you grow. I will miss you every single day. My heart breaks, heaven has gained an angel. Goodbye for now, not forever."

A 22-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday afternoon but has since been released from custody.

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Victoria Police have since issued a statement on the matter: "Detectives from the Homicide Squad have this afternoon (8 April) charged a man after the body of a woman was found in Scarsdale on Friday.

"A 21-year-old Sebastopol man arrested yesterday afternoon has now been charged with one count of murder. He will appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

"The charge follows an incident where emergency services were called to reports of a vehicle on fire in bushland near State Forest Road just before 10am on Friday (5 April).

"The remains of a 23-year-old Clunes woman were located inside the vehicle. Police believe the parties involved were known to each other."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.