Lachlan Young, 21, fronts Ballarat court charged with murdering Hannah McGuire

The grieving mother of a young woman found dead in a burnt-out car has broken down as the man accused of killing her was led to the dock at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court.

The grieving mother of a young woman found dead in a burnt-out car near Ballarat has sobbed as her accused killer faced court charged with her murder.

Lachlan Young, 21, was flanked by custody officers as he was brought into the dock of Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, charged with the murder of Hannah McGuire, 23, whose remains were found on State Forest Rd in Scarsdale, southwest of Ballarat.

Sporting a blond mullet and a black and white shirt with the sleeves rolled up revealing a heavily tattooed right arm, Mr Young bowed his head and avoided looking into the gallery during the brief proceeding.

Ms McGuire’s mother, Debbie, seated in the front row sobbed as he was brought into court.

She was comforted by her husband, Glenn, who was sitting beside her.

Lachie Young appeared in Ballarat court on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied

Hannah McGuire was found dead in a burnt-out car near Scarsdale on Friday. Picture: Facebook

Police prosecutor Steven Repac asked for 16 weeks to prepare a brief of evidence – 10 weeks longer than the usual allocation – to allow time for forensic analysis and CCTV footage to be obtained and analysed.

He said there were multiple crime scenes and the matter had some “complexity” to it.

Mr Young’s lawyer Crystal Caruana opposed the application, saying all the information she had was from the media and her client would not be able to launch a bail application in the Supreme Court until she had the brief.

“Police have swooped very quickly in this matter and it would appear there is enough evidence to charge him with murder,” she said.

She added it was her client’s first time in custody and he was in a “declining” mental state.

The court heard Mr Young was prescribed antidepressants, which he did not know the name of, but his family had them brought into custody for him.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin granted 16 weeks for the brief of evidence to be served.

He asked Mr Young to stand as he explained that he would be remanded in custody and would return to court on September 19.

Debbie and Glenn McGuire with their son outside Ballarat Magistrates’ Court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The McGuires comfort each other outside court. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The McGuires’ lawyer has asked for privacy for the family. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The courtroom was about half full, with a mix of reporters and family and supporters of Ms McGuire seated in the gallery.

Outside court, Glenn McGuire was comforted by his wife and son, as lawyer Brooke Tamanika issued a statement on their behalf.

“As you can imagine, this is a very devastating time for the family, for Hannah’s loved ones, and for our community as a whole,” she said.

“The family have been assisting the police, however I cannot comment on the status of the matter.”

“I would ask that everyone is mindful of the family during this period of time, that you respect their privacy and you give them time to mourn the loss of Hannah.”

Mr Young bowed his head and looked at the ground for much of the brief proceeding. Picture: Supplied

State Forest Rd, where Hannah McGuire’s body was found. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

‘No words’: Community reeling

Ms McGuire’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from family and friends, including her former primary schoolteacher Dennis Twentyman, the brother of late youth worker, Les.

Mr Twentyman, who taught Ms McGuire at Clunes Primary School in the late 2000s, said she was a “bubbly” and “vibrant” young woman whose family were doing it extremely tough.

“(She was) very bubbly, very vibrant … we are a great small community and she’s going to be very sorely missed,” he said, inside a small cafe and green grocer in Clunes.

“She was involved in the Good Friday Appeal doing her work for the community, raising a huge amount of funds.

“It’s unbelievable that she’s gone.

“The family is held in high esteem, she’s a lovely girl.”

Mr Twentyman, 71, said the McGuire family were well respected and loved by several sporting clubs in the area.

“They’re copping it very hard, it’s very hard to get your head around the absolute tragedy of what’s happened to her,” he added.

“They’re such a great family, it’s absolutely devastating and an absolute tragedy.

“This particular family tragedy has been a shock, absolute shock.

“This particular family is involved in a range of sporting clubs, netball and football clubs.”

School friend Demi Harris said Ms McGuire was a “beautiful human”.

“The most sweetest soul with the kindest heart,” she said.

“Taken way too soon. Fly high, Han. You will forever be in my heart.”

Ms McGuire was an educational support worker at Delacombe Primary School where she helped with the out of school hours (OSH) program.

Ms McGuire’s young students have been left “heartbroken” by her death.

“She was an amazing support teacher. We are all shattered to hear that she is no longer going to be at school to greet us with her bubbly smile,” a close friend of Ms McGuire’s at the school said.

“All the kids she worked with love her very much and are heartbroken. She could always get a child to smile and feel welcomed.

“We had the privilege of knowing Hannah for five years and will miss her terribly.

“No words can describe the sadness we are all feeling as a school to lose a fantastic teacher and friend.

“She will be remembered for her smile and positivity and in the love these kids and families have for her.”

A Department of Education spokesman said her death was “a great shock to our school community”.

“Hannah has been with us for over four years and was a dedicated and much valued member of the Delacombe Primary School community,” he said.

“We will have all the support necessary for students and staff in place when school returns next week as the Delacombe Primary School works through this tragic event.”

Hannah McGuire has been described as the ‘sweetest soul with the kindest heart’. Picture: GoFundMe

Hairdresser Tina Coad, who cuts Debbie McGuire’s hair, said the family would be in total despair.

Ms Coad, who donates hairdressing vouchers to the McGuire family each week for their Friday night pub raffle, said there were “no words” to describe the sadness her family would be experiencing.

“Gee, she looked so much like her mum with those big wide cheeks,” she said.

“There’s no words, no words at all.

“They’re great people, they’re good for the town but they’re going to need a lot of support.

“Shit things happen to such good people.”

Ms Coad, whose eyes welled up as she sat at the reception desk of her salon, spoke of her connection to the McGuire family, whose pub sits just a few doors down.

“I came to town about the same time as them, we’re both so fresh and new and just helped each other out,” she added,

“They were new to town, I was new, so we both just banded together.

“They’ll just band together, the other workers will run that pub for them, that’s what it’s like here and they’ll come back when they’re ready.”

She said she could sense her community was reeling.

“It’s a very, very sad atmosphere, people are supporting each other and coming together, stopping each other in the street, it’s not a good day,” she added.

“You don’t even know what to say, it’s f---en shit.”

A fundraiser has been organised by the Clunes Cricket Club, which is sponsored by Ms McGuire’s parents, to support her family.

The killing of Ms McGuire comes as Ballarat still reels from the murder of Ballarat woman Samantha Murphy, who vanished without a trace while out for a jog in February.

Last week, her husband, Michael Murphy, told the Herald Sun he missed her every day and was keeping the faith that her body would be found.