More than 18 months after childcare educator Molly Ticehurst died in her Forbes home, her former boyfriend stood before a magistrate and said what the community had been waiting to hear. The courtroom burst into spontaneous applause.
Daniel Billings appeared via video link from Goulburn’s supermax prison on Friday morning. The 30-year-old admitted to murdering the 28-year-old woman he once claimed to love. He also pleaded guilty to four other charges, including breaching an apprehended violence order, property damage and animal cruelty.
The Molly Ticehurst murder case became a national flashpoint for domestic violence reform. Her death sparked outrage across Australia when it emerged that Billings had been released on bail just two weeks before allegedly killing her.
A System That Failed to Protect
Police discovered Molly’s body in her Forbes home during the early hours of 22nd April 2024. She had suffered fatal stab wounds. Officers arrested Billings shortly after.
The circumstances surrounding her death revealed troubling gaps in the justice system. A court registrar had granted Billings bail despite him facing multiple charges including:
- Several counts of rape
- Domestic violence offences
- Breaching protection orders
Police had already taken out an interim apprehended violence order on Molly’s behalf. Yet Billings walked free.
Molly Ticehurst, 28, was a beloved childcare educator in Forbes, NSW
Father’s Anguish Over Repeated Delays
Tony Ticehurst, Molly’s father, had spoken out about the pain caused by court delays. Back in November 2025, he told reporters the system continued to fail his daughter even after her death.
“It seems to me that in life, the system let Molly down and in death continues the same route,” he said. “Instead of getting closure, all we get is anxiety, sadness and heartache.”
On Friday, when Billings finally confessed to the Molly Ticehurst’s ex-boyfriend confessed to domestic violence murder, Tony became emotional. He thanked the Forbes community for their support but struggled to speak about his daughter.
“I would break down trying to tell you,” he told reporters outside court.
Laws Changed in Molly’s Name
The Molly Ticehurst’s domestic violence murder triggered sweeping reforms to NSW bail laws. The changes came after widespread public anger over how Billings received bail despite serious charges.
NSW Premier Chris Minns attended Molly’s funeral in May 2024, along with other state leaders. The government acted quickly to close legal loopholes.
Key changes include:
- Stripping court registrars of power to grant bail in domestic violence cases
- New “show cause” requirements for bail applications
- Electronic monitoring for accused domestic violence offenders
- Higher thresholds for granting bail to repeat offenders
These reforms aimed to prevent another tragedy like Molly’s death. The question remains whether they came too late.
Forbes Community Rallies Behind Family
About 50 Forbes locals gathered outside the courthouse on Friday. Many wore t-shirts emblazoned with two simple words: “She matters.”
The guilty plea brought relief after months of frustration. Molly’s mother sat inside the court with her hand covering her mouth as Billings admitted to killing her daughter.
Twelve additional charges, including several sexual assault and stalking offences, were dropped as part of the plea agreement. The prosecution accepted the murder plea rather than pursue a lengthy trial.
Molly Ticehurst’s “She matters” campaign banner
Australia’s Domestic Violence Crisis
Molly’s case highlighted a disturbing national trend. Recent statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics paint a grim picture:
- One woman dies every nine days at the hands of a current or former partner
- 58 women and 15 men lost their lives to partner violence in 2024-25 alone
- One in six Australian women has experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner since age 15
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that family and domestic violence remains a leading cause of homelessness for women and children. In 2023-24, over a quarter of people seeking specialist homelessness services cited domestic violence as their primary concern.
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What Happens Next
The matter has been adjourned for formal arraignment in the NSW Supreme Court on 12th December 2025. Billings was formally refused bail. He remains in custody at Goulburn’s high-security facility.
The plea came after mental health assessments and lengthy legal negotiations between defence and prosecution. Billings spoke only to confirm he could hear the proceedings while his Legal Aid solicitor entered the pleas on his behalf.
Sentencing details have not yet been announced. Murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under NSW law.
