A man accused of breaching a restraining order and murdering his ex-girlfriend fled to a former construction site where he often camped, after allegedly killing the young mother in a late-night attack.
Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, at the home they shared in Forbes, 137km west of Sydney, between midnight and 1.50am on Monday.
Instead of returning to his four-bedroom rental in nearby Parkes after the alleged murder, Billings allegedly fled to a construction site in Fifield, a small town about 50 miles northwest of Ms. Ticehurst’s home, with a population of only 126 inhabitants.
Billings was employed by an oil drilling company, Resolution Drilling, based in nearby Parkes.
Daily Mail Australia understands Billings was arrested at the Fifield site a few hours later because a local became aware of his arrival and raised the alarm with police.
On Wednesday, residents said the company had set up an exploration rig in the area for several weeks and Billings was known to stay there for a haul.
Molly Ticehurst (pictured with her young son) was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend on Monday
Daniel Billings (pictured) was arrested after allegedly murdering Molly Ticehurst at her home on Monday
Pictured: A man showing where Daniel Billings allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst in Forbes, where he lived in Parkes and where he allegedly fled to Fifield
The manager of the Fifield Hotel – the town’s only business – said Billings had already booked a room in the pub with his colleagues, but chose to sleep on the construction site instead.
Speaking about the night of the alleged murder, one resident said Billings didn’t know anyone in the Fifield area and the pub was closed early in the morning.
“He didn’t know anyone in town, the pub was closed and we knew he was staying there (at the drilling site) in a loot before,” the resident said.
Another said Billings often spoke to other pub regulars about his problems at home and recently revealed he had been arrested and bailed on $5,000 bail.
Billings was charged on April 5 with three counts of rape, four counts of stalking and intimidation, two counts of destruction of property and one count of animal cruelty – all allegedly in connection with Ms Ticehurst.
The local said: “He came in several times and told us he was having problems with his wife and he was out on five thousand dollar bail.”
He then held up a large pink piggy bank in the shape of a penis and laughed, saying: “I was joking, he could use some getting used to that.”
This comment appeared to be a joke about the possible consequences of a possible prison sentence.
“When I first met him at the pub he was drinking rum and Coke, but recently he stopped drinking and ordered Gatorade,” the man said.
One of Billings’ bail conditions was that he not drink alcohol or use drugs.
Fifield (pictured) is a small town about an hour north of Forbes. The population is 126 and there is a pub
Forensic investigators are pictured Tuesday at Molly Ticehurst’s home. The windows were broken
On Wednesday evening, the drilling company posted a link to encourage people to donate to White Ribbon Australia, an organization dedicated to ending male violence.
“In 2024, we support White Ribbon Australia, helping to build a nation where every woman is free from all forms of male violence and abuse,” the site reads.
“If you would like to help support this great cause, simply click the donate button below. Any help is much appreciated and will make a big difference.
The former Billings boss, who Daily Mail Australia chose not to name, said: “It’s a really horrible thing that happened.”
“We know about it, but it’s not our place to comment and we need to think about our staff who are struggling at the moment.”
Billings shared a rental with other traders for about six months in the suburb of Parkes, surrounded by families.
The property was empty Wednesday, with large sheets of aluminum foil covering the windows.
Pictured: Daniel Billings’ rental property. He shared it with other traders
The windows of Daniel Billings’ house were covered with foil to block the sun
A neighbor told Daily Mail Australia the house was normally occupied by men wearing conspicuous uniforms, but they rarely made noise and kept to themselves.
“They mostly worked night shifts,” a neighbor said.
“That’s why their bedroom windows are darkened with aluminum foil so they can sleep during the day. So we haven’t heard or seen them much.”
Police canvassed the street Tuesday morning for at least three hours, asking neighbors if they knew Billings or had any interactions with him.
Billings and Ms Ticehurst were a couple for around 18 months until July last year, but briefly got back together in December.
At the time of the alleged murder, Billings was on bail following several assault charges linked to Ms Ticehurst.
He was also made the subject of an apprehended violence order and was not allowed to enter Forbes, nor go near Ms Ticehurst or her workplace.
Billings had been on bail for 15 days before he went to Ms Ticehurst’s home and murdered her.
His case came before Orange Local Court on Tuesday, where his bail was revoked.
The case will be heard in court again on June 20.
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