Ballarat mum of six believed to have been killed in murder-suicide by partner with bikie links
Two children were asleep in Ballarat just metres from where their mother and her partner — who has ties to the Bandidos bikie gang — died in an apparent murder-suicide.
Police & Courts
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Two children were asleep in their beds, metres from an apparent murder-suicide in which their mother and her partner died in Ballarat.
Police were called to a Sebastopol home, on the fringes of the regional city, about 9pm Friday after reports two dead bodies had been found.
Ballarat man Ian Butler — who has ties to the Bandidos motorcycle gang — is believed to have stabbed his partner, Rebecca Young, 42, to death before taking his own life.
One neighbour, who was among the first at the scene and requested not to be named, noticed the commotion after 8.30pm.
“I just heard screaming,” they said.
The neighbour arrived to see the family outside of the Morgan St home, with one woman crying into her hands while crouched on the footpath.
Another neighbour said the Sebastopol woman’s distraught parents were at the property on Friday night, saying “I told you to leave him”.
A young person at the home was reportedly heard saying “oh no Dad!” at the time of the incident.
Reports of the tragedy have shaken locals, who have described the neighbourhood as quiet and hospitable.
One resident told the Herald Sun on Monday the incident was as “chilling” as it was shocking.
Ms Young and Mr Butler were described by Morgan St residents as “any other normal couple”, smiling and happy to chat with anyone who came by the house.
The pair was seen driving home with a baby’s cot tied in a trailer the day prior .
Local detectives are leading the investigation and are not looking for any other suspects in relation to the deaths.
The tragedy comes as the regional city is gripped by the search for missing Ballarat mother Samantha Murphy.
There are no suggestions Friday’s deaths are related to the search in any way.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
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