Woman ‘murdered’ in country home by ex-love interest
Tony Ticehurst has paid tribute to his daughter Molly. Photo: 9News
A 28-year-old woman found dead in her NSW home was the alleged victim of a “brutal” murder at the hands of her former partner, police say.
The media has identified the victim as childcare worker Molly Ticehurst, a mother of one from Forbes, in central-west NSW.
Her body was found in her home in Forbes shortly after concerns for her welfare were raised with police about 2am on Monday.
Police said the shocking scene showed evidence of a “terribly violent” attack on the young woman.
“It was pretty brutal – my thoughts go out to the family of the young lady,” Detective Inspector Jason Darcy said.
“I’ve [had] 34 years in the police, a former homicide detective, I’ve been to a few [crime scenes] and it was quite brutal.”
Ticehurst’s own child was found safe at another address in Forbes.
Police investigating the grisly crime followed leads to a property 100 kilometres away in Fifield. There they found and arrested a 29-year-old man – Ticehurst’s former partner.
Darcy said the pair had previously been in a relationship.
The man, named in media as Daniel Billings, 29, was charged on Monday afternoon with domestic violence-related murder and breaching a restriction in an apprehended violence order.
It has since emerged that the accused was on bail for other offences at the time of the horrendous alleged killing.
The victim’s father Tony Ticehurst said his daughter would still be alive if Billings had been kept behind bars.
“Someone’s got to be responsible,” Ticehurst told the Nine Network.
“If they’d have kept him in jail as the police wanted, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
He paid tribute to his daughter, who was loved by many.
“I can say all the normal stuff that people say about how their daughter was beautiful, but Molly really was,” he said.
Molly Ticehurst was a childcare worker and mum of one.
Billings was remanded in custody ahead of a future court date.
Researcher Sherele Moody said 30 women have been killed in Australia already this year – 10 of them during April.
Earlier this month, Hannah McGuire, 23, was allegedly murdered by her ex Lachie Young, 21, in regional Victoria.
McGuire’s body was discovered in a burning car in bushland at Scarsdale, about 25 kilometres south of Ballarat, after reports of a car on fire.
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-with AAP
