Knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi of Queensland pictured on an escalator at the Westfield Bondi Junction Mall in Sydney.
Knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi of Queensland pictured on an escalator at the Westfield Bondi Junction Mall in Sydney.
Six people have been killed during a stabbing attack at a Sydney mall. Five of the victims were women, raising questions about the attacker’s motives.
Five of the people killed have now been identified as Pikria Darchia, 55,Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30,Jade Young, 47, Dawn Singleton, 25, the daughter of a prominent businessman; and Ash Good, 38, the mother of a 9-month-old girl who was also injured.
Good’s baby remains in a critical condition but has since stabilised. A total of 12 people were injured and remained in hospital on Sunday.
The attacker was 40-year-old Joel Cauchi. He had a history of mental health treatment and schizophrenia. He worked as a male escort, advertising his service online as recently as last year. He was known to police and was last known to be sleeping in his car and at backpacker hostels.
Cauchi’s family called police to offer information after seeing their son in footage broadcast on television immediately after his frenzied attack. He was estranged from his family.
His attack was stopped when a policewoman, acting alone, shot and killed him inside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre. She has been praised for her bravery, as have several bystanders who defended their families from Cauchi, and others who took care of Good’s baby daughter.
A fifth victim of the Bondi Junction stabbing has been identified tonight as 55-year-old Pikria Darchia.
New South Wales Police confirmed Darchia as the fourth female victim and fifth victim overall.
The Sydney Morning Herald said she was originally from Tbilisi in Georgia, and that a LinkedIn profile suggested shewas an artist.
55-year-old Pikria Darchia, the fifth identified victim of the Sydney stabbing attack. Photo / NSW Police
The parents of the man who murdered six people in the attack have tonight described his actions as “truly horrific” and say they are still trying to comprehend what happened.
Joel Cauchi, 40, was shot dead by a policewoman after a bloody rampage at Bondi Junction Westfield yesterday.
His family has just released a statement saying they have “no issue” with the police officer’s actions.
“She was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is coping all right.”
The said they were devastated by yesterday’s traumatic events.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.
“Joel’s action were truly horrific and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened. He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.”
The family were in contact with New South Wales and Queensland Police and asked for privacy.
A security guard from Pakistan who came to Australia as a refugee has been identified as the fourth victim of the horrific Sydney mall stabbing rampage.
Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30, was killed during the mass stabbing at Bondi Junction Westfield yesterday.
Tahir’s friend and fellow member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Shajar Ahmad, told the Sydney Morning Herald his friend had only come to Sydney from Queensland eight months ago, after entering Australia through a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees programme.
“He had so many hopes and dreams for his future,” Ahmad said.
He said Tahir had only worked four or five shifts at Westfield Bondi Junction. Saturday was his first day shift.
Architect and mother of two Jade Young has been identified as the third victim of mass stabbing at a Sydney mall.
Mother of two girls Jade Young, 47, was earlier identified as the third victim. She had studied at the Architectural Association School in London and specialised in building conservation, working with heritage buildings in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
She was an active member of the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club, who remembered her as a “much-loved” club member”.
“Many club members will be affected by the loss of Jade and the impact of this senseless and tragic event will affect each of us differently over time,” the club wrote.
Meanwhile, the parents of the man who murdered six people in the attack contacted authorities after recognising their son on TV footage of the shocking incident.
Knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi of Queensland pictured on an escalator at the Westfield Bondi Junction Mall in Sydney.
Victims have been named, with tributes emerging from grieving friends and family.
They were Young, 25-year-old Dawn Singleton and 38-year-old Ash Good, mother of a 9-month-old girl who was also injured in the attack just after 3pm on Saturday and is fighting for her life in hospital.
In total, seven people died. This includes the attacker, Cauchi. A further 12 people went to hospital after the Bondi Junction incident.
‘World’s best mum’ Ash Good tried saving baby, dies in hospital
Witnesses saw Good trying to save her daughter after they were both attacked, handing her baby to two strangers as she fought for her life, news.com.au reported.
She was taken to St Vincent’s hospital with critical injuries and died soon after arriving.
Good’s friends described her as “the world’s best mum” and “a beautiful human” as they mourned her death.
Good’s family released a statement to Australian media, saying they were “reeling from the terrible loss” and thanking the two men who looked after her baby.
“Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human and so much more,” the statement read.
They said they were “struggling to come to terms with what has occurred”.
“We would also like to thank the New South Wales Police for their kindness and diligence in this tragedy and emergency services for getting our baby the care she needed as quickly as possible.
“To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not - words cannot express our gratitude.”
Second victim, Dawn Singleton, daughter of prominent businessman
Australian media reported the second victim who died, Singleton, was the daughter of a multi-millionaire advertising mogul, businessman John Singleton, and lawyer Julie Martin.
Sydney mall stabbing victims Ash Good, Jade Young and Dawn Singleton. Photo / AP
Singleton studied at the University of Technology Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Communications. She worked for retailer White Fox Boutique.
She was engaged to New South Wales policeman Ashley Wildey, a high school sweetheart, and had just bought a wedding dress last week, the Daily Mail reported.
A friend of Singleton’s saidshe had been shopping for makeup at Bondi Junction Westfield when she was stabbed outside Chanel.
She said her fiance was devastated by Singleton’s death.
In a photo taken from X, Joel Cauchi is seen armed with a knife inside the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre.
A still taken from 9News coverage showing heavily armed police entering Westfield Bondi Junction from the roof. Photo / 9News
New South Wales Police said a sole policewoman responded to emergency calls from within the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre and shot the attacker dead, saving many lives. Photo / News.com.au
Central Metropolitan Region commander and Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said Cauchi was known to Queensland Police, but he would not confirm how. He did confirm he had well-documented mental health problems.
He said he did not know how Cauchi may have come into possession of the knife used in the attack.
Cauchi took possession of a small storage facility last month, which has been investigated by police.
Cooke pleaded to the public for any people who were witnesses to the stabbings who have not come forward to present themselves so they can provide support.
Yesterday, Bondi Junction was the scene of horrific violence – but also selfless courage and bravery.
Today this community has come together to mourn the victims of this devastating atrocity and offer its sympathy to those who have lost loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FJbmt1sE7A
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to the victims of the attack, laying flowers at what he described as “the scene of horrific violence”.
“Yesterday, Bondi Junction was the scene of horrific violence – but also selfless courage and bravery,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Today this community has come together to mourn the victims of this devastating atrocity and offer its sympathy to those who have lost loved ones.
“Every Australian stands with you in unity, in grief, and in compassion.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
