Daniel Billings, aged 30, has been accused of murdering Molly Ticehurst through domestic violence and will undergo further court proceedings later this year following a mental health assessment. Just two weeks prior to the alleged incident, Billings had been granted bail after facing multiple charges related to Ticehurst, which included three counts of sexual intercourse without consent and four counts of stalking and intimidation.
Additional charges emerged in 2023, including property destruction at Ticehurst’s residence and aggravated animal cruelty concerning her 12-week-old dachshund puppy. In December 2024, four more serious charges were added, prominently highlighting an aggravated sexual assault.
Court documents allege that Billing made threats of further physical harm against Ticehurst during the alleged assault. He is currently facing a total of 17 charges. Legal Aid solicitor Diane Elston informed the Parkes Local Court that after the mental assessment, the case is set to advance into the negotiation phase.
The magistrate, Michael Maher, postponed the case to May 16, with the court also recognizing the sensitive nature of the situation by removing Ticehurst’s name from an interim domestic violence order. Maher expressed the challenge of issuing an order for someone who has passed away, remarking, “I can’t make an interim order for someone that is no longer on this earth.” The existing order will now pertain solely to a minor.
Ticehurst’s family, including her parents, attended the brief court proceedings, although Billings did not appear via audio-video link. During a subsequent hearing in June 2024, he was present from the High Risk Management Correctional Centre in Goulburn, a facility designed for high-risk inmates.
The tragic circumstances surrounding Ticehurst’s death have contributed to a rising movement against gendered violence and have initiated reforms in bail laws by the NSW government.
Support for affected individuals can be sought from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service by calling 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).