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Man charged with murder after woman's body found

By Holly Hales and Melissa Meehan
Updated April 8 2024 - 4:25pm, first published 4:19pm
A man will front court on Tuesday charged with the murder of a woman found in a burned out car. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
A man will front court on Tuesday charged with the murder of a woman found in a burned out car. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman's body was found in a burned out car in regional Victoria.

Emergency services were called to a vehicle on fire in bushland at Scarsdale, 25km south of Ballarat, on Friday morning.

The remains of a 23-year-old Clunes woman were located inside the car.

A GoFundMe page was set up by the Clunes Cricket Club in support of the family of Hannah McGuire.

"As a community we send our deepest love and condolences to Glenn, Debbie, Jude and Fletcher," the club said.

"Hannah was known by many as a bright young woman and had a heart of gold."

The cricket club described Ms McGuire's parents as club sponsors and "very generous people".

"All proceeds will go towards funeral costs and other expenses the family may need during this tough time," the club said.

Two Sebastopol men, aged 21 and 22, were arrested shortly before 5pm on Sunday.

The 22-year-old man was later released, while the 21-year-old man was charged with murder on Monday afternoon.

Investigators believe the parties allegedly involved were known to each other.

The charged man will appear in Ballarat Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Australian Associated Press