29-year-old Jill Meagher’s body has been found by police in a shallowly dug grave about 50km from Melbourne.
An autopsy will be conducted today and the Coburg man who has been arrested by police is expected to face charges of abduction, rape and murder.
News.com.au reports:
Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, was remanded at an out-of-sessions court hearing shortly before 3am that lasted only 90 seconds at St Kilda Road Police Station.
The bail justice told Bayley he should not be given bail given the seriousness of the charges against him.
She asked him whether he understood the charges, to which he replied a simple “yes”.
Asked whether he wanted the charges read to him, the accused said “no”.
The accused wore a blue T-shirt, jeans and red-and-black Nike runners and showed no emotion as he sat with his chin in his hand.
He will appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.
This morning’s events came after police swooped on the suspect’s Coburg home at 2.30pm and took him to the St Kilda Rd Police Complex where he was interviewed.
Police will allege he is the man seen on CCTV wearing a blue hoodie top and talking to Ms Meagher on Sydney Rd early on Saturday Rd moments before she vanished.
Here’s the CCTV footage they’re talking about:
ABC Melbourne presenter Jon Faine said this about Jill Meagher on radio today:
Transcript of ABC presenterJon Faine’s dedication to Jill Meagher in full:
“The ripples of Jill’s abduction and as we have now learned allegations of rape and murder, the ripples of all of that extend right through the community. It’s touched a very raw nerve right across the nation.
I want to talk to you about Jill as person, Jill as a colleague, but also what Jill’s death has somehow come to mean.
I also though, at the same time, have to respect the fact that a man has been charged and he has a right to a fair trial and he is innocent until he is proven to be guilty. And tempting as it is to compromise those things that make us a civilised society and social media is awash already with people this morning venting their feelings, we won’t be doing that on this radio station today. It would betray our friend, her legacy, her values and our values if we were to do so.
But Jill’s death must not come to define us. That’s not what it’s like to live in the Melbourne that we know. This is an exceptionally rare event. Its randomness is part of what is so incomprehensible about it.
A bunch of people leave this workplace and go out to celebrate birthdays with Friday dinner and drinks. Some people wander off, some people stay on, and eventually in the absolutely normal course of a bunch of people enjoying Melbourne’s nightlife together, someone starts to walk home minutes away from where they are.
And then it all goes bad. That is not life in Melbourne. That is not life in the Melbourne that all of us know and we don’t want it to become in any way a definition of life in Melbourne today. In due course we will all understand more about it. Police will do their work and the courts will do their work and we totally respect that process.
But Jill as a person, Jill as a colleague, Jill as a wife to Tom – who must be Lord knows, lost this morning – our thoughts are with you. But Jill wouldn’t want us triple locking the door and installing closed-circuit televisions everywhere as if we live under siege, because that’s not what it’s about.
So, this morning we will pay our respect to our friend, our colleague, and there is a very empty space in our office this morning. There’s other things happening in the world as well. We don’t want to be maudlin or indulgent, I suspect Jill wouldn’t have wanted that. She would have said “oh no, keep going, keep going” and so Jill, we will. We will. We’ll do the best that we can and we’ll do it for you.”
Our thoughts are with Jill’s family, friends and ABC colleagues today.
Thank you to the Mamamia readers who are already leaving their best wishes and prayers in the comments section below.
Comments
328 Comments so far
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Tom, my heart breaks for you, & your family
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Just to clarify not every msg would be appropriate to send her family at this time but maybe the ones sending our thoughts and prayers could be passed onto them?
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MM team, just wondering if these messages of support are going to be passed onto Jill’s family, husband and friends?
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RIP Jill! I didnt know you but somehow i am so deeply effected by your story.. That you are no longer here. I hoped every day for good news. I feel so angry. I cannot comprehend why? Just why? What you must of went though i cant stop thinking about it. I will always remember you and your story will have an impact on me forever. To know your family have been robbed of having you in their lives and all the experiences they will now never have just makes me fill with sadness. To Jill and Jills family I will always keep you in my thoughts and prays
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I’ve been so sad all day about Jill’s terrible loss. She was so clearly a beautiful young woman – full of life and joy and love. I had a cry in the morning. It’s just too awful.
I’m thinking whoever did this must have manipulated her somehow – maybe by pretending to need help with something. Maybe he played on her decency. I just don’t trust a living soul anymore – not until I’ve had a good long look at their behaviour and their character.
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So very sad. My thoughts are with her family. RIP Jill, I’m sure you’re gorgeous smile will live on in those that loved you.
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I heard today that the police are calling this a ‘crime of opportunity.’ I have to say that I have a real problem with that expression in this context. A woman walking home on a well-lit street is not an opportunity, and this was a crime of malice, intent and deliberateness.
Perhaps I’m feeling sensitive about this after following the story of Jill’s disappearance this week, but I feel that calling this a crime of ‘opportunity’ takes away from the intent and depravity involved with this crime.
The man responsible for Jill’s murder is a monster, a criminal and I have no doubt was intent on taking someone that night. This is on him, this is a reflection of him, this is his fault, and he deserves the severest punishment.
My deepest sympathy goes out Jill’s family and friends. This is a terrible tragedy
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I was wondering if you could tell me where you heard that comment? I’m doing an essay for my gender studies unit at uni about the gendered discourse surrounding this story, and I’m looking for quotes like that. Thanks x
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I was flicking between the morning programs on channel’s 7 and 9 this morning – I don’t normally watch them so I don’t know the names, but it was between 7.30am and 8.15am this morning.
They had reporters out on location and one of them said that and it just really stuck with me all day.
I guess in some ways it just makes me feel like there is an element of ‘victim-blaming’ in that expression “crime of opportunity,” like somehow you have given an oportunity to someone to do the wrong thing. Like I said, maybe I’m being oversensitive, but Jill’s story has really made an impression on me. I will be thinking about her for a very long time.
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I agree with you.
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I heard that line too – I was watching The Today show this morning on WIN so maybe it was there that the reporter said it.
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“crime of opportunity” or “opportunistic crime” are common terms used by police to describe offending. It often refers to crimes that occur with no planning and instead happen in the moment. In this case it does not lessen the malice or deliberate actions of the accused. It may however give indications to his intent and when it was formed.
The media have covered this case extensively the past week. Despite this much of the police investigation remains secret to the public. The police would have an understanding to the movements of the accused that evening and to any level of planning for this horendous crime.
It’s certainly not intended to lessen the seriousness or depravity of the crime.
You are very right in saying that this man is a monster and he alone bares fault. Jill was an innocent victim. Hoping that there is ultimately a just outcome for Jill and her family.
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Yes, I’ve always understood “crime of opportunity” to mean that it wasn’t necessarily planned but the conditions seemed right to have a go so they did. Like, I didn’t plan to steal a wallet from the front seat of a car, but someone left their car open and their wallet was there, so I took it. That’s a crime of opportunity. And no, I’m not comparing what happened or anyone to a wallet.
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What a sad and tragic end to this story. My deepest sympathies to everyone who knew Jill Meagher and are suffering the most today. I think there are many people saying “if only this…” and “if only that…” You know what? None of that matters anymore. Jill is dead, and the “if onlys” don’t count for shit. Like another young man who died recently, with speculation that he had been drinking, or maybe texting, while driving. Who cares? It doesn’t matter one bit what the person was doing, the person is now beyond all of that, and so should we all be. Jill chose to walk home alone? Doesn’t matter to those who knew her. She refused the offer of an escort? Doesn’t matter to her family. She as drinking? How does that matter when thousands were out drinking on the night in question. The unimaginable has happened, life has shown its dark side and its ugly claws. We can think these things to ourselves as much as we like, but we show much disrespect by indulging in that kind of talk. Vale Jill.
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I agree. If she had gotten a ride home that guy would still be out there and there would be another different victim sooner or later. The problem isn’t with her choices, the problem is with the guy.
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So very heartbreaking to watch that video. To see the moment her instinct kicked in and yet for reasons we may never know it wasn’t enough to save her. To see the moment someone has decided to do the unthinkable to another human being, brings tears to my eyes. In 1996/97 three women disappeared in Perth after being out at night in Claremont. Sarah’s body has never been recovered. Their killer has never caught. These killings and Jill’s must serve as a reminder to women to be careful. RIP Jill, my heart goes out to your husband and family.
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the fact we all saw her instinct kick in and the attempt to avoid further contact with him has made it feel personal. I didnt know Jill but my emotional reaction to her story is something I will never forget.
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Gosh yes, I can relate to feeling that when I saw the footage – that long pause, the look back & then on-wards she went. Definitely one of the saddest moments I’ve ever seen.
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Terribly sad for all who loved and knew Jill and very sad for those of us who only knew her radiant image on the news. Such a senseless destruction of life. We had all hoped for the best and are crushed by the inevitable news.
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I haven’t been this shaken by such a horrific crime since Anita Cobby was raped and murdered. It makes my skin crawl to think about what these poor women had to endure. Noone-male or female- has any right to take another’s life. People are not disposable.
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I think one of the reasons this story has hit so hard is that everyone can relate to making a decision to walk at least in part home at night after a night out, after a few (or many drinks). It could have happened to any one of us who have made that decision.
Love and support go out to Jill’s husband & family, their pain and devastation is unimaginable.
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This random, tragic event has encouraged me to reassess my perspective on some things in life: to consider how fortunate my circunstances are, and to make the most out of the incredible opportunities I have – by virtue of being alive. As banal as it may be to attempt to draw something positive out of this situation, I feel I owe it to Jill, whom I never knew, to be appreciative, grateful and proactive in life, as a way of honouring her in some way. Rest in peace Jill. My thoughts are with your husband, family, friends and colleagues.
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How devestating, my heart just breaks for Jill’s family and friends.
That poor woman, I cant begin to comprehend how terrified and helpless she must have felt.
What a horrible ending for this story, I was so hoping each day for good news.
RIP Jill xxx
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I can’t stop crying looking at her beautiful smile in that photo and then thinking of the horrific way in which she suffered. Hearts are breaking all over Australia for you and your family Jill x
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I am sorry but the comment about CCTV made above – I find that a curious comment considering that is how the police were lead to her murderer and in turn her body. Her husband may feel lost confused angry but he has something a lot of people in his situations don’t which is closure and his wife’s remains to bury and rest to peace. Be mindful ABC he would not have had that, at the very least so quickly had it not been for the CCTV footage.
I didn’t even know this woman but i felt an overwhelming sense of gratefulness to the store who captured that image and in turn greatly assisted the police in finding her body and murderer.
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RIP Jill. I wish for peace for her husband and family. xx
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Male or female, we should all be able to walk home after a nice night out in safety. Lets have a red lipstick day to protest against all forms of violence towards our fellow human beings.
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My deepest sympathies go to Jill’s husband Tom and her family and friends. Such devastating news.
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Devastating.
May she rest peacefully, that beautiful girl. Forever young.
Thoughts, strength and prayers to her family.
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May a perpetual light shine upon her, may she rest in peace.
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One of the things that’s really scary is if Jill had attempted to hail a cab and been honest about where she was going, the driver would most likely have locked the doors and driven away. I’ve had to walk a lot further than that in the early hours of the morning as a woman on my own because I couldn’t find a cab driver who thought I was worth it.
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I remember when I was about 23 and went to stay with a friend who was going through a breakup. She lived in Kings Cross and I lived in Edgecliff which is about a 5 minute drive. I left at 3 am to go home and it was Christmas party time so very busy. I got a taxi but he refused to take me home as it was so close. So I walked home for 20 minutes in the dark, close to a park.
If a driver did this now I would report him for doing that.
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It’s almost 11pm Thursday night here and I was working until late tonight, came home to husband telling me what had happened. Such horribly sad news
I can’t and never will understand how someone could do this. My thoughts go out to her family, friends and colleagues. RIP Jill.
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monsters were innocent children once. How can we protect and care for our children today to ensure they don’t become monsters tomorrow???
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To Jill’s family and friends, especially her poor, poor mother, I’m so sorry for the everlasting nightmare have entered. I pray you have the strength to endure it.
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I try imagine Jill’s last minutes alive- the terror, fighting to stay alive and knowing the inevitable was coming.
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A moment of silence should be held at the AFL grand final… To show our respects.
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This story brought me to tears to think something like this happens in your own neighborhood let alone at all is disgusting. I can’t believe this has happened. It’s honestly heartbreaking. RIP Jill xx
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This is truly horrific. When I saw the first load of tweets at about 1am this morning and read them out to my friends who were with me, we all went silent. I think this case will stay in our minds for a long time to come.
I sincerely hope this changes our community for the better. I hope that this causes a change in our behaviours and that we do walk those friends home, look out for each other and report anything we see as suspicious and so on.
Thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues. This is truly an awful day in Melbourne’s history.
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This news is absolutely horrible.
I am in an office with women ranging from 20yrs – 55+ and every single one is affected by this news, we can only imagine how the family and friends are feeling.
I guess it shows the kind of world that we live in whereby we cannot walk home alone anymore. A lot of my friends and I frequently walk home alone after a drink or dinner out, but this is something that will stop from now on.
Its such a shame that something like this has happened and I know my sadness is felt world wide.
My heart goes out to the family & friends.
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Victoria Police media unit supervisor Natalie Webster warned “it is important that the information on non-official pages is verified and correct, as it may adversely impact an investigation otherwise”.
Mamamia – maybe you should mention what the legalities are for such a discussion. A mistrial would be an unimaginable.
Obviously everyone is devastated and needs to talk about this tragedy. It has deeply affected all of Australia. I live in Melbourne and have certainly been in this same area, and others, walking alone looking for a cab etc. This is such a rare and horrible event but it is hard not to react with fear.
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Hi Ali
You’re so right. Overwhelmingly the messages being left by MM readers are messages of love or support for Jill’s family and friends, which of course there is no legal issue with.
We pre-moderate comments and simply won’t publish anything that could prejudice a possible trial in any way. But excellent reminder thank you.
If anyone is concerned about their comment not passing moderation – the simple message is to stick to the facts as they have been established and do not speculate about any suspect’s potential guilt or otherwise.
Thanks everybody.
Jamila
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Devastated by the news of the murder of Jill Meagher.
Felt nauseous reading the news this morning.
and her photo brings back memories of Anita Corby.
My thoughts are with her husband, family and friends.
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I am devastated. Absolutely floored that a woman in 2012 can’t walk 700m to her house at night without the possibility of being raped and murdered. This is Australia. This is disgusting. My blood is boiling with the injustice, with the anger that this pointless murder happened. Why? We must organize a Reclaim the Night walk in honour of Jillian Meagher. I will fly to Melbourne just to take part.
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I don’t understand why people keep commenting along the lines of: “in 2012… in this day and age… in today’s society…” and so on.
Like war, rape, abduction and murder have been going on since the beginning of time. Unfortunately will also be going on in fifty, one hundred and five hundred years from now. What has a timespan got to do with it? The only difference I see is the development of digital technology and social media in tracing the criminal after the fact.
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I don’t understand why just because that is the ways it’s always been that we have to accept that this is the way it will continue to be. Can’t we hope for and work towards something better?
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We can’t let this go. Just because it has always happened doesn’t mean we can just accept that it will still happen.
With time we can improve, we can educate, we can find out ways to prevent these sorts of things from happening.
Technology can help prevent these instances, i recommend everyone download the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Help Me app, in which you can send a message with your GPS coordinates to 2 nominated people with a touch of a button. This might have been able to help save Jill.
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Couldn’t agree more girly! Women need to demand that they be able to enjoy the freedom of walking at night, without concern for the violence of men. There needs to be longer sentencing for any male assault and a zero tolerance from the time a boy is born. I see it at my daughter’s school, girls are constantly knocked, pushed or hit by unruly boys and the teachers simply tell them to be more careful, or settle down. Why not ‘Go to the principal’s offie, we’re calling your parents”? Sounds extreme but giving boys permission to be rough is setting up men to think the same way.
Maybe we should use the idea first raised in 1970′s Israel. Golda Meir’s male cabinet wanted to put a curfew on women, to keep them safe from rape at the time. Golda Meir said ‘Wait a minute, who’s doing the raping?” Of course no curfew then occurred but maybe women should demand a curfew on men, just for one night of the year, so men can understand how women feel being relegated to the safety of home and company and denied the right to enjoy the night. Yes men are subjected to violence at night too but by their own kind. It’s like we’ve all accepted it and there’s nothing we can do.
If women started killing their children, the headlines would scream ‘What’s wrong with our women?!’ Well I want to ask, what’s wrong with our men? Melbourne and Sydney CBD’s are filled with violent brawling men every weekend…and it’s just unacceptable. What are the parents of these men teaching their sons that makes them think being rough and violent is ok?
I am currently studying in an area that deals with family violence and the lengths we go to to accommodate the violence of men towards their women and children, without ramification to the men, is incredible. Basically unless the woman presses charges, nothing happens. The man is allowed to continue seeing his children and living his life while she often moves from house to house, living in constant fear for her safety. He is innocent until proven guilty yet all concerned know for a fact that he has been beating his wife, her medical records show it. It’s just not good enough!!
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I see it like this – it’s not safe for anyone to walk the streets alone at 2am, woman or man.
People might say that we should be educating men about violence towards women, not teaching women to avoid walking alone at night. I don’t necessarily agree with this.
You can throw all the education and government funding at violence against women, but it will not change the fact that some human beings are born socio or psychopaths. All the education in the world will not change their brains and they will seek opportunity to do violent things. Often, these perpetrators will be men, committing crimes against women, by virtue of the fact men are physiologically stronger than women.
Yes, of course, education about violence against women and violence full stop is always going to be helpful to a society, but it is not going to be helpful in stopping sociopaths. I don’t know what would be.
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Whippersnapper, I totally agree with your comment. There have been people in the past, Bundy, for example, with formiddable education and amazingly high intelligence quoters. If you have a head full of bad wiring, you have it.
Side note: This rancid sack of shit will get his in jail. Oh he will get his……
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There’ll be a lot of “If only’s” now – If only she’d accepted that offer of help, if only she hadn’t gone out that night, if only she’d not gone by herself, if only she hadn’t come to Australia…………at what point do people curb their own freedom, especially women ?
We all feel such sympathy for this girl and her family – if only there was something any of us could have done……or said.
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That’s the worst possible news. My thoughts are with her family and friends. Thank God they appear to have found the perpetrator or Melbourne women would be living in fear.
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I couldnt agree more. The women of Perth still continue to be spooked because they never found the killer of 3 women in Claremont.
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I am absolutely devastated and sick over this. It’s a dark and depressing day here in Melbourne and I am sitting at work unable to concentrate on anything. I checked the news to see if there were any updates last night as I went to bed and saw that police were charging someone with rape and murder. I was sobbing in bed regardless of the fact that I didn’t know this girl.
It almost feels strange reacting like this but I guess it’s a case that has hit home for many of us. It was random and opportunistic, it happened close to where we live, work and walk aorund all the time, it could have happened to anyone.
Since her disappearance I was hoping for any other outcome, as unlikely as it was, anything but rape and murder. I just can’t believe it had to end like this for her. Worst imaginable outcome. No one deserves this.
I watched the video footage where she talks to him and just keep thinking if only she crossed the road or walked onto the main street, which you could see was right next to where they were standing, she would have probably been fine now. Not helpful, I know.
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Thing is, he would have ended up getting someone else.
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I’m very sorry and angry to hear this mornings news. I just wish her husband and family all the possible strength to get through this.
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Thank you to the store owners who have CCTV in their store and released the footage, without it the police may never have had a chance to catch this absolute horror of a human.
RIP Jill xx
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My heart goes out to Jill’s husband, family, friends and co-workers. Such a senseless, tragic end to a young woman’s life. RIP Jill Meagher xxx
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My heart goes out to Jill’s family, friends, colleagues, husband. This is such a sad story.
I’ve heard so many people today say things along the lines of “well you shouldn’t walk alone at night” and it makes me so angry. Why shouldn’t we be able to walk home of a night?
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Agreed – it’s just not the danger that one expects of a city like Melbourne – whether unfounded or not, this is not an event we are used to seeing.
What I want to know is, as a result of the huge publicity this case has drawn – will something be done to enforce cab drivers to take us home – even when it’s only 700m away? Plenty of us live in areas where it’s an impossibility to catch a cab home – just like Jill. I also don’t think anyone living in Melbourne has ever not been refused to be taken home by a cab driver because the trip was too short. Even if the cab fare might only be $4 – I would quite happily pay a set minimum – ie $10 perhaps – to ensure a safe ride home, as an alternative to walking home alone. There isn’t always a friend to walk you home, for whatever reason that may be.
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Spot on Lucy – it’s the same with cabbies in Sydney. It very frustrating having driver after driver refusing to take you because they don’t consider it to be a big enough fare.
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Lucy, I live in inner city Melbourne – about 1.5km from the CBD – and I frequently catch a cab home at night (usually a $5-7 fare). I never, ever tell the cabbie where I want to go until I am actually in the back seat of the cab. And I never, ever have had a cabbie refuse to take me home – maybe because most don’t know know how they would actually go about getting me out of the cab! I always give the cabbie a minimum of $10, which I think is a small price to pay for getting home safely.
I suggest all women try this. We have a right to the services of our taxis and to be taken where we want to go, so why ask permission before we get in?
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Hey Lucy,
What you need to do is get in the taxi before telling him where you are going. Once you’re in the cab and tell them where you are going, the driver is actually not allowed to kick you out. They have to take you to your destination.
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I’m absolutely heartbroken for her husband, family and friends. I can’t even imagine what they’ve been through this past week…
Rest in peace beautiful girl, you will be remembered forever in our hearts…
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The thing that freaks me out about the footage above is that it’s Friday night, there aren’t tonnes of people around but there are HEAPS of cars – it’s one of the main roads of Brunswick. No one would feel that unsafe with so many cars around. Of course you wouldn’t cross one block over to a quiet street, of course you would walk up the main street where other people and lots of cars and lights are around. Aside from taking someone with you, what more do you have to do to feel safe in your own suburb? It makes me angry that people may feel less safe as a result of this incident. Then again, maybe people should feel less safe if it is so easy for things like this to happen? Who knows. It’s so infuriating that people out there feel they have the right to just take life away like that.
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It’s dark and stormy here in Melbourne where I sit only a few kilometres away from where Jill was abducted. I am so sad, so angry and in shock. She and her family are strangers but I sobbed and almost couldn’t stop when I found out the news. Poor, sweet girl. I cannot believe it happened in Sydney Road which I love and know so well. I think of that poor witness who passed her on the street – he must be eaten up inside, he seemed like such a nice guy – but most of all my heart goes out to her husband, parents and friends.
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I know, when the sky went black this morning in Melbourne and it began raining as the news broke of Jill’s body being found, I felt grief-stricken. I don’t know Jill but as one person posted below, it feels as though she is ‘every woman’. May this be a reminder that we need to look out for each other on the streets, that we can never make assumptions and that we need to do better as a community. No woman deserves the fate that Jill and so, so many others have endured. Rest in peace Jill.
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a very sad start to the day hearing this , RIP Jill x
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I am just so angry!! That a woman cannot walk five minutes from her home without being abducted and killed …. I am so tired of the violence of men!!
I feel so sad for her family, words can’t express.
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What a sad day! Rest in peace beautiful girl.
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There are simply no words. My love and thoughts are with Jill’s family, friends and colleagues. xx
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I was so saddened to hear about Jill. Watching that footage where she is clearly hesitant , looking back and waiting for him to leave. It breaks my heart. My sincerest condolences go to her husband, family and friends. My brother said the guy will pay in prison though. The majority of prisoners loathe rock spiders and rapists, so I hope he gets what’s coming to him big time.
RIP JILL. xx
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I am so sad…to her family i’m very sorry for your lose as is many. Our hearts go out to you.
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Deep in my heart I can’t even begin to comprehend how her husband and family are coping. My thoughts and sadness and love go to them now. It’s not fair that the only thing I can hope is that my beautiful friends be so careful, when they should be able to walk the streets carefree. RIP x
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