Siblings charged over murder of Ballarat woman after human remains found in Gippsland
A young brother and sister have been charged over the murder of Ballarat woman Tamara Farrell, a family friend and passionate anti-violence campaigner who has been remembered as “warm, generous and extraordinary”.
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A young brother and sister have been charged over the murder of a family friend who was a passionate anti-violence campaigner.
Altona man Shaye Kotiau, 22, on Wednesday appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Tamara Farrell, 31, in her rental home in the Ballarat suburb of Canadian on Sunday.
He was remanded to reappear in court in June.
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His sister, Kieahn, 19, also from Altona, was charged with accessory to murder and bailed.
Ms Farrell’s badly burnt remains were found dumped on a country road near Sale, about 300km from her home, on Tuesday.
The same day forensic police seized a fuel can from inside the boot of a Holden Commodore parked at the siblings’ Phair Court home.
Ms Farrell frequently posted online about violence against women and issues relating to gender violence.
She recently lamented the number of female deaths that had occurred this year.
Ballarat police superintendent Jenny Wilson said her death was a reminder that preventing violence against women needed to remain a focus in the community.
“I’ve just come up to being here for 12 months and this is now the second death involving a woman in Ballarat over that period of time,” she said.
“This really highlights the issues surrounding violence against women. It’s really a message about treating each other with dignity and respect.”
The Herald Sun earlier revealed both Shaye and Kieahn Kotiau had been friends with Ms Farrell since early childhood.
The motive behind the murder is still unknown.
TAMARA REMEMBERED AS ‘WARM, GENEROUS AND EXTRAORDINARY’
Tamara Farrell has been remembered as a “warm, generous and extraordinary” woman.
Ballarat’s deputy mayor, Jim Rinaldi, said Ms Farrell had only recently moved to Ballarat despite having worked in the city as an airport shuttle driver for several months.
“She was extraordinary, very competent in what she did; a friendly, happy, a very good person,” he said.
“She was very outgoing, very friendly. Her hand would always come out to shake yours and would ask ‘how you are doing today?’
“She was a person with a great spirit and a wonderful attitude and very, very much loved by her co-workers.”
Ms Rinaldi added: “We are a very friendly city and we just want all people to be respected for who they are, whether they are male or female, just enjoy life. We want to see none of this violence.”
A long-time friend of Ms Farrell said she was a “lovely” woman and was struggling to comprehend why anyone would want to harm her.
“Why would anyone want to kill Tamara?” said the friend.
Ms Farrell worked as an airport shuttle driver.
Ms Farrell’s employer, Ballarat Coachlines, said the company was shocked and devastated. “Tamara was an excellent employee who was always friendly and hardworking,” a statement said on Tuesday night. “We are all in shock and grief at losing a valued colleague and friend.”
Friend and co-worker Renee Menhennet on Tuesday night posted on Facebook: “Tam words can’t express how much we will miss seeing you at work everyday x Your bubbly personality and ‘give it a go’ attitude will always be remembered x Fly high Tam x”
POLICE SCOUR ALTONA PROPERTY ON TUESDAY
A Holden Commodore, which appeared to contain a fuel can, was towed away after being searched by forensic police at the Altona property on Tuesday afternoon.
A black laced shoe and old rag were also being examined behind a gate.
Forensic officers appeared to be concentrating on items located in area at the side of the home, which was taped off.
Police spent more than 24 hours at the property, where they removed half a dozen evidence bags.
The car has been towed from the property @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/9E42Rm0sD5
— Aneeka Simonis (@AneekaSimonis) February 19, 2019
A large police presence remained throughout the day on Horwood Dve in Canadian, where Ms Farrell had lived.
Forensic teams spent the morning scouring her house, and detectives knocked on doors of nearby neighbours.
Neighbours told the Herald Sun they saw moving vans at the front of the property in recent weeks.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she woke up to find police in the street.
“It is such a quiet family street, so it was quite disturbing to realise something bad had happened,” she said.
“It has just changed the street a little bit … children play up and down here all the time.”
Other neighbours said they had also spotted a man, believed to be in his 30s or 40s, living at the home during the past year.
Property records show the home was listed for rent as recently as August 2018 and was then leased for $400 a week.
A large ute was parked out the front of the home, but was not a focus of the investigation.
In Altona, a neighbour said she saw a man being led by police toward an ambulance on Monday night.
A woman, who was being comforted by police, was heard saying: “I don’t know where my daughter is.”
Neighbours said arguing was sometimes heard from within the house.
Forensic police could be seen photographing the property on Tuesday.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au