Daniel Billings, identified as the 'Grim Reaper' killer, confessed to murdering Molly Ticehurst in a phone call to a Tinder match approximately two hours after the stabbing occurred on April 22, 2024. The woman, who had met Billings on the dating app in 2022, reported that Billings stated, "I'm sorry, I murdered her," during the 2:02 AM call. He also described the events, saying, "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."
The phone call was made from a property owned by a mutual friend, whose residents subsequently alerted the police. Billings, a 31-year-old former mine worker, has pleaded guilty to stabbing Ms. Ticehurst 15 times in a frenzied attack after breaking into her bedroom in Forbes, Australia, on the night of April 21, 2024. He pleaded guilty to the murder in November 2025, following over 18 months of legal proceedings.
Billings had been released on bail by a local court registrar two weeks prior to the murder, facing charges related to sexual assault and domestic violence offenses against Ms. Ticehurst. Court documents indicate that upon learning of her allegations of repeated rapes, Billings vehemently denied the accusations and became focused on clearing his name.
Pre-Murder Recordings
During a sentencing hearing in Orange, the court reviewed approximately 90 minutes of footage recorded by Billings before and after the murder. In these videos, he is heard crying and expressing his belief that he was wrongly accused of rape. One recording captured Billings driving on dark country roads from his home in Parkes to Ms. Ticehurst's residence, listening to Johnny Cash's song "The Man Comes Around," which contains lyrics about terror. Senior Crown prosecutor Lee Carr SC presented this video as evidence of Billings' intent to kill, stating it was "prophetic" and that "The Grim Reaper is another word that comes to mind." Justice Natalie Adams noted that footage from after the killing appeared to show Billings in a "jubilant" mood.
These videos also suggested a plan for Billings to take his own life after the murder. Forensic psychiatrist Olav Nielssen, working for the defense, interpreted many of the recordings as potential "goodbye videos," indicating Billings was experiencing significant depression. However, Crown expert David Greenberg suggested these suicide threats could be viewed in the context of Billings' history of domestic abuse against Ms. Ticehurst, noting that he had threatened both the victim and her family on several occasions.
Victim Impact and Sentencing
Billings listened to the proceedings from an elevated dock, at times looking at the floor and shaking his head. The sexual assault charges were dropped when he entered his guilty plea for murder. The court heard victim impact statements on Thursday, with Ms. Ticehurst's mother, Kate, stating, "Molly was my only child and my best friend. I'm heartbroken that my girl is no longer with me." Her father, Tony Ticehurst, expressed gratitude for public support and became emotional when asked how he would remember his daughter.
Public defender Sarah Talbert presented evidence of Billings' chronic depression and remorse, stating there were "multiple and consistent ongoing expressions of remorse." Sentencing for Billings is scheduled for September 11. Resources for those affected by domestic violence and mental health crises are available, including 1800 RESPECT, Lifeline, and the Men's Referral Service.