Inquest into Ashley Lunn’s 2019 death and Maria Phillips’ suspected involvement
Consensus Summary
The articles cover the upcoming inquest into the death of Ashley Lunn, a 25-year-old man with an intellectual disability from Norlane, Geelong, whose remains were discovered in September 2019 buried in his backyard. Lunn had not been seen since August 2018, and his death remains unexplained, with investigators suspecting foul play. Maria Phillips, an asylum seeker who posed as Lunn’s girlfriend and was convicted of misusing his disability support pension, is set to testify at the inquest beginning June 22, 2026. Phillips claims poor health, including TB and mental health issues, and has objected to appearing in person. The case involves financial exploitation, disappearance, and potential homicide, with key events including Lunn’s last ATM sighting with Phillips, his eviction in May 2019, and the discovery of additional remains in 2021. The inquest aims to clarify the circumstances of Lunn’s death and Phillips’ role.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ashley Lunn, a 25-year-old man with an intellectual disability from Norlane, Geelong, was last seen alive in August 2018 in CCTV footage with Maria Phillips at an ATM.
- Lunn’s skeletal remains were found in September 2019 beneath a disused armchair and buried in a swag in his backyard, discovered by a neighbor excavating for sewer pipes.
- Maria Phillips, an unemployed asylum seeker who used aliases including 'Bree' and allegedly Ashley’s name, was living with Lunn from 2016 and later convicted of using his disability support pension after his death.
- Lunn’s last rental payment was made in May 2019, and police attended the home in August 2019 to repossess it, finding the remains in his yard against a shared fence.
- A postmortem could not determine the cause or time of Lunn’s death, which is believed to have occurred between August and December 2018.
- Phillips appeared via audio link at a directions hearing in June 2026, claiming she was in poor health (treated for TB and mental health issues) and objected to appearing in person.
- The inquest into Lunn’s death is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2026, with Phillips compelled to give evidence.
- Lunn lived with NDIS funding and a support worker, enabling him to move out in 2016, but Phillips (posing as his girlfriend) was initially refused lease inclusion.
- In June 2016, Lunn told his support worker that Phillips had taken his bank card and withdrawn a significant amount of money, though he refused to escalate the issue.
- Further remains were found in January 2021 by a new resident clearing vegetation in Lunn’s yard.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Neighbors reported seeing Lunn around Christmas 2018, though this was not confirmed by CCTV.
- The counsel assisting the coroner, Amy Johnstone, stated that Phillips was seen at the house telling the real estate agent she was the cleaner.
- No family was present at the most recent hearing, as noted by the coroner.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The articles do not contain any contradictions; all factual claims are identical between sources.
Source Articles
Ashley’s remains were found in 2019. Investigators hope an inquest will uncover the truth
The remains of the 25-year-old lay undiscovered beneath the ground in Geelong for up to a year until a neighbour went looking for sewer pipes.
Ashley’s remains were found in 2019. Investigators hope an inquest will uncover the truth
The remains of the 25-year-old lay undiscovered beneath the ground in Geelong for up to a year until a neighbour went looking for sewer pipes.