‘I think he was mad’: Droudis family says Monis 'needy', 'spoilt'
Lindt Café gunman Man Monis was a “needy”, “spoilt” person who was waited on hand-and-foot by the Droudis family before he took hostages in Sydney and died in a shootout with police.
Monis’s brother-in-law John Aspros has lifted the lid on one of Australia’s most notorious killers, adding “everything went bad” for the Droudis family once Monis arrived about six years ago.
“He was very secretive, he’d never tell what he was up to,” Aspros said.
“He walked in here … acted like he was the boss, he wanted to prove he was the boss.
“Basically he had an ego problem.”
Monis married Mr Aspros’ sister Amirah in the year before his death. Amirah is currently behind bars in NSW awaiting trial for allegedly murdering Monis’s first wife Noleen Hayson Pal in 2013.
Mr Aspros told Newscorp his late mother Soula and sister were “scared” of Monis, known as Michael to the family, but treated him well inside their home.
“Mum cared for Michael, did his washing and cooked for him,” he said.
“He was a bit like a son to Mum.
“He used to drive around on his Harley with my sister. They got big boots, leather jackets and helmets.
“He acted like he was tough.”
Mr Aspros said the Droudis family were “horrified” to learn Monis took hostages in the Lindt Café in December 2014, and watched the siege unfold on television.
“Knowing Michael, I think he just thought he could go in there, take over and everyone would do what he told them to and he’s just walk out,” Mr Aspros said.
Since Monis was killed in the siege and Amirah taken into custody over the alleged murder, Soula Droudis’s health began to fail.
She died last year with Amirah refused leave to attend the funeral.
“She’s doing pretty well in jail, given the circumstances, but losing Mum was very, very difficult.”
Amirah will appear again the Supreme Court on August 15 for her trial.
