Molly Ticehurst: Details emerge about moments after tradie Daniel Billings allegedly murdered Forbes mum - and the tip-off that led cops to his Fifield bolthole

A man accused of breaching a restraining order and murdering his ex-girlfriend fled to an old worksite where he often camped after allegedly killing the young mum in a late-night attack. 

Daniel Billings, 29, allegedly murdered Molly Ticehurst, 28, at the home they used to share in Forbes, 137km west of Sydney, sometime between midnight and 1.50am on Monday.

Instead of going back to his four-bedroom rental in nearby Parkes after the alleged murder, Billings allegedly fled to a worksite in Fifield - a small town with a population of just 126 about 80km northwest of Ms Ticehurst's home.

Billings was employed by an oil drilling company, Resolution Drilling, based in nearby Parkes. 

Daily Mail Australia understands that Billings was arrested at the Fifield site within hours because a local became aware of his arrival and raised the alarm with police.

On Wednesday, locals said the company had an exploration rig set up in the area for a number of weeks and Billings had been known to stay there in a swag. 

The manager of The Fifield Hotel - the town's only business - said Billings was once booked in to stay at a room in the pub along with his colleagues, but he opted to sleep at the worksite instead.

Speaking about the night of the alleged murder, one local said Billings didn't know anyone in the Fifield area and the pub was shut. 

'He didn't know anyone in town, the pub was closed and we knew he stayed round there (at the drilling site) in a swag before,' the local said.

Another said Billings would often talk to other pub-goers about his troubles at home, and recently revealed that he had been arrested and released on conditional bail for $5,000 surety.

Billings was charged on April 5 with three counts of rape, four counts of stalking and intimidation, two counts of destroying property and one count of animal cruelty - all allegedly in relation to Ms Ticehurst.

The local said: 'He'd come in a number of times and told us he was having problems with his missus and was on five grand bail.'

The local then held up a large pink money box in the shape of a penis and laughed as he said: 'I joked he'd need to get used to this.'

The comment appeared to be a joke about possible consequences of a potential jail sentence.

'When I first met him at the pub he would drink rum and Coke but recently he wasn't drinking and he ordered Gatorade,' the man said.

One of Billings' bail conditions was that he didn't drink or use drugs. 

On Wednesday evening, the drilling company posted a link to encourage people to donate to White Ribbon Australia - an organisation dedicated to ending male violence.

'In 2024 we are getting behind White Ribbon Australia who are helping to build a nation where every woman is free from all forms of men’s violence and abuse,' the site read.

'If you'd like to help support this great cause, just click on the donate button below. Any help is much appreciated and will make a big difference.'

Billings' old boss, who Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name, said: 'It's a really horrific thing that has happened.

'He has been known to us, but it's not our place to comment and we need to think of our staff who are struggling right now.'

Billings shared a rental with other tradesmen for about six months in suburban Parkes, surrounded by families.

The property was empty on Wednesday with large sheets of aluminum foil covering the windows.

A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia the home was normally busy with men in high-visibility uniforms, but they rarely made noise and kept to themselves.

'They mostly worked night shifts,' a neighbor said.

'That's why their bedroom windows are blacked out with aluminum foil so they can sleep in the daytime, so we didn't did hear or see much of them.'

Police canvassed the street on Tuesday morning for at least three hours, asking neighbors if they knew Billings or had any interactions with him.

Billings and Ms Ticehurst were in a relationship for about 18 months until July last year, but briefly got back together in December.

At the time of the alleged murder, Billings was on bail following a number of assault charges relating to Ms Ticehurst.

He was also the subject of an apprehended violence order and was not allowed to enter Forbes, or to approach Ms Ticehurst or her place of work.

Billings had been on bail for 15 days before he allegedly drove to Ms Ticehurst's house and murdered her.

His matter was mentioned in Orange Local Court on Tuesday during which his bail was revoked.

The matter will be heard in court again on June 20.