Killer's Confession: 'I'm Sorry I Murdered Her'

Daniel Billings admitted to murdering Molly Ticehurst in a phone call made two hours after the stabbing. During the call, he stated, "I'm sorry I murdered her." He also told the woman he met on Tinder, "In an ideal world, what I wanted to do was go over there and talk to her, but she started screaming and I did what I did." Billings had fled to a friend's house in bloodied clothes after stabbing Ticehurst 15 times in her Forbes home on April 21, 2024.

Just two weeks prior to the murder, Billings had been released on bail by a local court registrar. He faced charges including sexual assault and domestic violence offences against the 28-year-old Ticehurst. The court heard that Billings developed an obsession with clearing his name after learning of the allegations. He recorded videos before and after the murder, repeatedly asserting his innocence regarding rape accusations.

Forensic experts offered contrasting interpretations of Billings' recorded "goodbye videos." The defense suggested they indicated depression, while the prosecution argued they were part of a pattern of domestic abuse and threats against Ticehurst. The sexual assault charges were dropped in November 2025 when Billings pleaded guilty to murder, following 18 months of legal negotiations. Victim impact statements were presented to the court, with Ticehurst's father stating, "When she died, part of me died with her." Justice Natalie Adams is expected to sentence Billings later in September.