Ethan Lenny George Ross confesses to supplying meth dose to girlfriend Amy Bowden before death

Amy Bowden died from a suspected drug overdose. Now the man who “shot her up with meth” to “try and save her” has had a change of heart.

The former boyfriend of Amy Bowden – who died nearly a year ago from a suspected drug overdose – has made a shock change to his plea in court, confessing he gave Amy the drugs that led to her death.

In his first physical court appearance since his release on home detention bail last month, Ethan Lenny George Ross stood quietly in the dock of the South Australian District Court where he was due to confirm his former not guilty pleas.

Ross was charged with one count of supplying or administering a controlled drug, and two counts of supplying a controlled drug to a child.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges in the Adelaide Magistrates Court last year, but when Judge Emily Telfer on Friday asked his lawyer for updates on the case, she heard Ross had changed his mind.

Ethan Ross leaving court.

January 31, 2025: Ethan Ross, Administered drug to Amy Bowden Picture: Tim Joy

“Your Honour, this matter was in the not guilty arraignment list for three counts, but Mr Ross intends to plead guilty to count one on the information today, and not guilty to counts two and three,” James Marcus, for Ross, said.

“Okay, Mr Ross I will read the charge to you now,” Judge Telfer said.

“Ethan George Ross, you have been charged with the offence of administering a controlled drug to another. It is alleged that between February 6 and 9, 2024, at Redwood Park that you administered a controlled drug, namely methylamphetamine, to Amy Bowden, knowing or being reckless as to the fact the substance was a controlled drug. Do you plead guilty or not guilty to that charge,” her associate said.

“Guilty,” Ross replied.

He then pleaded not guilty to the two remaining charges of supplying a controlled drug to a child. A trial date was set for those charges in 2026.

Amy Bowden as a young girl growing up in Victoria. Pictures: Supplied by family

Amy (right) with her parents and sister. Picture: Supplied

“The sentencing process for count one can continue independent of counts two and three,” Mr Marcus said.

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.

Police had 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”.

Mr Cox is yet to enter pleas to the charge of supplying a controlled drug.

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

Ross will return to court next month where a date will be set for sentencing submissions.

Originally published as Ethan Lenny George Ross confesses to supplying meth dose to girlfriend Amy Bowden before death