Young St, Forbes: Daniel Billings charged with murder of Molly Ticehurst

A tight-knit community is in mourning following the slaying of young mum Molly Ticehurst – allegedly at the hands of her ex partner – as Chris Minns requests an urgent briefing on why the accused was released on bail.

Daniel Billings , who has been charged with the murder of Molly Ticehurst in Forbes. Picture: Supplied

A tight-knit rural community is in mourning following the alleged slaying of young mum Molly Ticehurst at the hands of her ex partner – as questions are being raised over how he was granted bail by a local court registrar.

Floral tributes are starting to gather outside the home turned crime scene at Young St, Forbes, just hours after police uncovered horrific scenes in the early hours of Monday morning.

NSW Police, responding to a concern for welfare call, found the battered body of the 28-year-old mum, just 15 days after her ex-partner Daniel Billings was granted conditional release after being charged with a raft of sex and domestic violence offences.

Police will allege Billings, 29, entered the town had been banned from visiting to murder his former girlfriend Molly Ticehurst in her own home.

It comes as NSW Premier Chris Minns has requested an urgent briefing on the court’s decision to grant Billings bail, telling the media it was “completely legitimate” to question how he was released.

Mum-of-two Molly Ticehurst. Picture: Facebook

Daniel Billings, who has been charged with Ms Ticehurst’s murder.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal NSW Opposition Leader and former Attorney General Mark Speakman will call for NSW Government briefings on Daniel Billings’ bail fail to be made public, after this publication revealed he had ordered an urgent briefing on how the alleged rapist was released into the public by a local court regirstrar.

“This is an unthinkable crime, and our thoughts are with the victim’s family and her community – no one should experience this kind of grief,” he said.

A house on Young St, Forbes is a crime scene.

Central West Police District crime manager detective Inspector Jason Darcy providing an update. Picture: 7 News

“It is critical that the community has faith in our justice system, and the Attorney General needs to address questions from our community with a public update as soon as possible.”

Molly’s father Tony said it was an absolute tragedy and one that could have been avoided.

“I can say all the normal stuff that people say about how their daughter was beautiful, but Molly really was,” Mr Ticehurst told 9 News.

Accused murderer Daniel Billings. Picture: Supplied.

The man is accused of murdering young mum Molly Ticehurst. Picture: Supplied

“Someone’s got to be responsible.

“If they’d have kept him in jail as the police wanted, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Billings had been arrested on April 5 and later charged with three counts of sexual intercourse without consent, four counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic), two counts of damage or destroy property and one count of animal cruelty.

The charges allegedly relate to a series of offences where Ms Ticehurst was the victim, including the three counts of rape which police allege occurred during two separate attacks in January.

A woman has been found dead in a house on Young St, Forbes, on April 22, 2024. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

Despite being refused bail by police on April 5, Billings was given his conditional liberty during a bail court hearing at Dubbo on April 6.

Court documents said a registrar granted Billings bail on a list of conditions including that he report daily to Parkes police, he not enter Forbes, he not go near or contact Ms Ticehurst and her child, that he not drink or take drugs and that a responsible person agree to cover a $5000 surety.

An interim apprehended domestic violence order was also made, with Billings banned from contacting Ms Ticehurst, going within one kilometre of her home, work and other places.

Young St, Forbes. Photo: Google Maps

But within 15 days of those orders being made, police allege he drove into Forbes and murdered Ms Ticehurst.

Central West Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Jason Darcy said officers located Ms Ticehurst’s body about 1.50am, shortly after Billings had arrived at a friend’s house at Fifield, about 100km from the crime scene.

“It was pretty brutal – my thoughts go out to the family of the young lady,” Det Insp Darcy said.

“It was terribly violent. 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.”

‘Never be forgotten’: Tributes flow for young mum

A friend of Molly Ticehurst’s described the death as a “nightmare”.

“I want to wake up to see your name light up my phone,” Liss Shaw wrote on Facebook.

“I want to see you smile hear you laugh and watch you stuff your face with food.

“I wish I could rewind time and fix this.”

Molly Ticehurst. Picture: Gofundme

She described a person who would light up a room.

“You loved whole-heartedly and unconditionally you were the life of the party and your son will always be your whole world god what I would do to bring you back.

“You will forever be in our hearts your memories will never be forgotten and your always with us no matter what.”

“Fly high bub til the next time I see you again.”

A fundraiser started about 8am on Tuesday had already raised almost $7000 just two hours later.

“On behalf of Molly’s family, I’ve asked if it was ok to start raising funds to give her the best send off she deserves,” the fundraiser organiser Daniel Swanston wrote.

“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.

“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.”

Death devastates a community

It is understood Billings and Ms Ticehurst had been in a relationship for about 18 months before it ended in July last year. The pair reunited briefly in December.

NSW One Nation announce Rod Roberts as Upper House candidate. Picture: NSW. OneNation

Billings is alleged to have sexually assaulted Ms Ticehust on two separate occasions in January, including two counts of sexual intercourse without consent after he allegedly talked Ms Ticehurst into meeting him so he could pay her cash for damaging her car.

Billings was arrested at his friend’s property at Fifield on Monday morning. He was later charged with murder (DV) and contravening an AVO.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said there were no noises on the street and was shocked to find multiple police cars outside on Monday morning.

She said the death had devastated the community.

The suburban street remained cordoned off on Monday afternoon as forensic experts continued to gather items at the scene.

Independent MLC Rod Roberts said the situation was “an indictment on a broken system”.

“This is a man who is accused of multiple counts of rape, stalk and intimidation and yet the justice system has let (an alleged victim) down,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“How serious does a charge have to be before bail is refused these days?

“This is a small community where everybody knows one another,” he said. “They must feel angry and frustrated that a young woman has been allegedly murdered at the hands of her ex partner – who was out on bail.”

The Daily Telegraph understands the Attorney-General Michael Daley last night called for an urgent brief from the Department of Communities and Justice on this matter.