The family of the man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend has confronted reporters as the community mourns the loss of the 28-year-old childcare worker.
Molly Ticehurst was found dead inside her home on Young St in Forbes, around 370km west of Sydney, during a welfare check at 1.50am on Monday.
Ms Ticehurst’s ex-partner Daniel Billings, 29, was arrested at a property in Fifield, about an hour northwest of Forbes, and taken to Parkes Police Station.
He has since been charged with murder related to domestic violence and contravening a prohibition/restriction in AVO.
On Friday, Eileen Ogilvie, Mr Billings’ mother, and a man told reporters today that they had “nothing to say”, telling them to “get out” from the front of their Cessnock house, Daily Mail Australia reported.
It reported that both appeared angry and yelled at reporters. The man tried to shoo reporters away from the street, despite it being a public space.
Court plea falls on deaf ears
At the time of Ms Ticehurst’s alleged murder, Mr Billings was on bail after being charged with raping her three times, stalking, causing damage to her property and abusing a 12-week-old puppy.
He was given bail at a court in Dubbo on Saturday 6 April.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that despite the seriousness of the charges against him, he was granted bail after just a 12 minute hearing.
It obtained a transcript of the short hearing where a NSW Police prosecutor and Mr Billings’ lawyer made arguments about whether he should be freed.
The prosecutor said Mr Billings was showing “concerning behaviour” and his release risked “further serious offences and endangering the safety,” of Ms Ticehurst.
Mr Billings, it was argued, had an “inability to let go of the relationship,” and had a “feeling of possessiveness and jealousness over the woman”.
“The evidence in the facts seems fairly detailed and gives examples of quite concerning behaviour that are indicative of features in domestic violence offenders that we see often come to light after the most disturbing conclusions to their conduct,” the prosecutor said.
Additionally, Mr Billings had made threats of “coming back, knowing where (Ms Ticehurst) lives”.
But Mr Billings’ lawyers argued he was entitled to the presumption of innocence.
He was given “very strict bail” because he had no criminal record despite the nature of the charges, teh transcript stated.
Lower level registrar presided
The newspaper has also stated that the presiding officer in court that day was a registrar, rather than a more senior magistrate.
Registrars are trained in hearing bail applications but do not need to hold a law degree, unlike magistrates.
Mr Billings’ bail conditions were not to enter the town of Forbes, where Ms Ticehurst lived, and to report to police daily to police.
On April 18, just days before Ms Ticehurst’s death, a court continued his bail.
Speaking to Channel 9’s A Current Affair, Ms Ticehurst’s friend Jacinda said: “She was one of the most beautiful people you’ll ever meet”.
“Molly did everything for everybody.”
Tony Ticehurst, Ms Ticehurst’s father told Channel 9: “I can say all the normal stuff that people say about how their daughter was beautiful, but Molly really was,” Mr Ticehurst said.
“Someone’s got to be responsible.”
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns has since ordered an urgent briefing about what happened in the lead-up to the alleged murder.
A family has lost their daughter and the circumstances are horrifying for that community and that family,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“Our justice system must protect the community from those who pose an unacceptable risk.
“Listening to her dad … your heart breaks for him, he’s justifiably angry, he’s completely heartbroken, he wants answers as to what happened.”
On Monday, NSW Police detective Inspector Jason Darcy said the alleged murder was “quite brutal”.
“It was terribly violent,” he said.
“I’ve got 34 years in the police, a former homicide detective. I’ve been to a few and it was quite brutal.”
A GoFundMe campaign has since been started to help for funeral costs and to give Ms Ticehurst “the best send off she deserves”.
“On Monday 22nd April 2024 the hearts of everyone were broken, finding out that the life of a beautiful Mother, Family Member, friend, educator, co worker and so much more was suddenly and tragically ripped away,” campaign organiser Daniel Swanston wrote.
“I’m hoping that I can help to ease a small piece of the pain by helping to raise funds to give Molly the best send off possible.
“I ask that if you can donate please do, anything is appreciated.
“May Molly’s wings flourish and may she rest in peace.”
Jodie Harrison, the NSW prevention for domestic violence and sexual assault minister, acknowledged that any reform to the system would not be a “silver bullet”.
“That is why it is crucial we as the government continue to invest in early intervention, prevention, education and importantly in housing to provide a safe place for women when they need to leave the domestic violence situation,” she said.
Delia Donovan, the chief executive of Domestic Violence NSW, today said bail reforms might not be enough to stop alleged murders of women by people known to them.
She said there needed to be significant investment in the sector to make real change.
