Jury finds man guilty of murdering former school friend

A Supreme Court jury in Victoria has convicted David Douglas McLennan, a 50-year-old man, of murdering his former school friend Caroline Carlee Smith. The body of the 48-year-old woman was discovered during a welfare check at her Henty Highway home in May 2025. Prosecutors alleged that McLennan killed her four days earlier through a violent assault, specifically strangling her.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that McLennan and Smith were old school friends who lived together in Victoria following a period of conflict in their relationship. Text messages between them indicated tensions, with McLennan referring to Smith as "crazy" and expressing feeling pushed to his "breaking point."

CCTV footage allegedly captured McLennan uttering the words "pretty sure you killed her" shortly after the assault, which occurred on May 11, 2025. McLennan maintained his innocence throughout the trial, arguing that while certain facts were undisputed, he did not intend to cause death or serious injury to Smith. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours before reaching the guilty verdict. McLennan was taken into custody pending a plea hearing and sentencing at a later date.