Amy Bowden’s former partner Ethan Lenny George Ross released from prison on strict home detention bail

A man who allegedly dosed his girlfriend with methamphetamine to “save her” from a heroin overdose – and an ambulance bill – has been released from custody after nearly a year.

A former cybersecurity worker who allegedly dosed his girlfriend up with methamphetamine to counteract a heroin overdose has been released on bail after spending nearly a year behind bars.

Appearing in the South Australian District Court via video link on Friday afternoon, Ethan Lenny George Ross sat quietly in an AVL room in Mobilong Prison as his lawyer, James Marcus, asked Judge Jo-Anne Deuter to release his client on strict home detention bail.

Mr Ross, 28, was arrested and taken into custody in February last year after police discovered the body of his partner Amy Bowden in their Redwood Park home.

Ethan Ross, 28, has been released on home detention bail. Picture: Supplied

Amy Bowden from Redwood Park died from an alleged drug overdose last February. Picture: Instagram

After his first hearing in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court nearly 12 months ago, he was refused bail due to the seriousness of the allegations.

Police alleged that on February 8, 2024 after seeing Amy’s lips “go blue”, the young man had contacted his alleged drug dealer – later revealed to be 19-year-old Henry Cox – and asked him to deliver methamphetamine, the drug he then allegedly used to “balance out” her heroin overdose.

Court documents alleged Mr Ross had told Mr Cox that administering ice to her would save him an “$800 ambulance bill”.

Both Mr Ross and Mr Cox have been charged with supplying or administering a controlled drug, with Mr Ross remaining in custody since his arrest.

Mr Ross pleaded not guilty to the charges – along with two counts of supplying a controlled drug to a child – but his co-accused, Mr Cox, is yet to plead.

Neither Mr Ross nor Mr Cox have been charged with causing her death.

Tracey Nelson, prosecuting, on Friday told the court she was not opposed to Mr Ross’ release, so long as it was under strict conditions – including that he have no contact with Mr Cox.

She asked the court to impose a condition that he submit to random drug and alcohol testing, and be under the supervision of corrections.

Judge Deuter granted the application for Mr Ross’ release on home detention bail to his uncle’s home in Salisbury, but told him he wouldn’t be released from custody until he was fitted with an ankle monitor.

“Thank you,” Mr Ross said.

He is due to appear in court again at the end of the month.

The Family of Amy Bowden have been left heartbroken.

“Amy was a warm person,” her best friend Taylor said.

Late last year, Amy’s heartbroken family and friends paid tribute to the “loved, fiercely loyal” young woman. 

“No amount of time will ever end this nightmare we are living every day,” Amy’s mother Michelle said.

“We have lost a piece of ourselves.”

“Amy was a warm person. She was such a magnetic, intelligent, funny, and above all caring best friend, who in each other, we found deep comfort and felt so much less alone in the world,” her best friend Taylor said.