Heartbroken mother of Sophie Quinn shot dead in Lake Cargelligo massacre breaks her silence to make shocking claims that her daughter had warned police she was in mortal danger

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 11:37, 3 June 2026 | Updated: 11:50, 3 June 2026 The mother of a young pregnant woman who was shot dead by her ex-boyfriend has revealed the warnings the expectant mother shared with police that should have saved her life. Cathy Quinn spoke publicly for the first time since her daughter's death in the Lake Cargelligo shootings, in central west NSW, on January 22. Julian Ingram, whose body was found last month, shot and killed his former partner Sophie Quinn, 25, her friend John Harris, 32, and her aunt Nerida Quinn, 50, while on bail for domestic violence offences. Ms Quinn and Mr Harris were killed when bullets were fired into a dark hatchback on Lake Cargelligo's Bokhara St about 4.20pm on January 22. Soon after, her 50-year-old aunt was shot dead at a home on Walker St, a two-minute drive away. Kaleb Macqueen, 19, was also shot at the home but survived with serious injuries. Cathy on Wednesday spoke with Nine News while attending a vigil outside Parliament House. She said Sophie had feared for her life after Ingram locked her in his car and asked her where she wanted to be buried, and that she warned police he had guns before he was released on bail for stalking and assault. Pregnant 25-year-old Sophie Quinn (above) was murdered by her ex-partner Julian Ingram on January 22 Sophie's mother, Cathy (above), claimed her daughter warned police Ingram would kill her 'She went up there to have him charged for assault,' Cathy said. 'She told him where he had the guns, where they were buried in his backyard, the description of the guns, and they didn't do anything about it.' Cathy said Sophie told police how Ingram had previously threatened her life and that she was scared he would kill her, but the mother claimed her daughter was told 'we'll deal with that later'.  'They should have acted on it straight away, and they shouldn't have let him have bail,' Cathy said. 'If he wasn't bailed today, if he wasn't bailed, they'd still be alive today.' Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland in February said the actions of police would be 'reviewed to ensure they complied with policy, procedure and legislation'. 'Fresh information has come forward that's given me reason to believe the matter needs to be further investigated,' he said. But the reviews are of little condolence to the loved ones of those Ingram killed. Ms Quinn's friend John Harris (above) was shot alongside her Ms Quinn's 50-year-old aunt, Nerida Quinn (above), was shot dead at a home on Walker St Cathy wore a shirt bearing the three victims' faces on Wednesday along with an ultrasound of Sophie's deceased son, who she planned to name Troy. She said Sophie 'would have made the best mum', had she been given the chance. Ingram's 'badly decomposed body' was found by park rangers doing feral animal eradication at Round Hill Nature Reserve, northwest of Lake Cargelligo, about 3.30pm on May 11. It's understood the body was found next to a Ford Ranger utility with NSW registration DM07GZ - the ute Ingram fled in - and a firearm.  Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, Western Region Commander, at the time said the body 'appeared to have been there for some time'.  He added the clothing on the body indicated it was Ingram and his driver's licence was found inside the ute. Ingram - also known as Pierpoint-Ingram - had already been hit with six apprehended violence orders to protect five people, including Ms Quinn, and had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting another woman in Griffith. He was granted bail by local police following his arrest in November because his charges did not meet the threshold for 'serious' DV offences.  Ingram (above) was on bail for domestic violence offences when he murdered Sophie Cathy (left) believes police should have done more to protect her daughter's life Transcripts from his court appearance in December, obtained by the Daily Mail, show his bail was continued by Magistrate Michael Maher without any mention of his criminal history, or any potential danger to Ms Quinn.  Ingram was able to leave the court and continue complying with his bail conditions, which involved reporting daily to Lake Cargelligo police. He was not allowed to follow, assault, threaten, stalk, or harass Ms Quinn or anyone she had a relationship with. He was also banned from destroying her property or harming her animals, or being in the company of certain people for 12 hours after consuming alcohol or taking illicit drugs. Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491 Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.