WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains the name and image of a person who is deceased.
On a secluded property in Mount Hope, Western New South Wales, Amy and Chelsea experienced an unsettling encounter late last Saturday night. Out in the paddock, they noticed the silhouette of a man—an unexpected and alarming presence given the remote location.
“We both just happened to see someone standing there in the paddock, and there should be absolutely no one there,” Amy recounted, describing the eerie sight.
Concerned, the duo retreated indoors and spent two anxious hours on the phone with the police, hoping for assistance or guidance on how to handle the situation.
Eventually, they decided to leave, only to come across the man once again. This time, their encounter turned even more menacing. “He was squatting on the side of the road, holding a gun pointing at us,” Amy recalled, the fear in her voice palpable.
“[He was] Squatting on the side of the road, holding a gun pointing at us,” Amy said.
“We described him to police and they matched it up with the description of Julian Ingram.”
Police descended on Mount Hope, 100 kilometres from Lake Cargelligo, where days earlier Ingram allegedly killed his pregnant ex-partner Sophie Quinn, her aunty Nerida, and her friend John Harris.Â
More details have come to light about 37-year-old Ingram’s movements in the hours before his alleged rampage on January 22.
A group of female traffic controllers said he gave them roses late that morning, which is something he was in the habit of doing.
Today, police focused on the Lachlan River, which snakes through the towns just outside Lake Cargelligo.
Each day this hunt goes on, the community remains in limbo.
“I can’t imagine what the family is feeling waiting for this to be over – what we’re feeling is probably one per cent of that,” Amy said.
If you or someone you know are feeling worried or no good, you can connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Support is also available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
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