Tragic tribute to Bondi Junction victim
A sister of a young woman who was killed during the Bondi Junction attack has shared a heartbreaking post to the woman whose “smile warmed everyone’s hearts”.
Dawn Singleton, 25, the daughter of entrepreneur John Singleton, was one of six people killed in the massacre on April 13.
Ashlee Good, 38, Pikria Darchia, 55, Jade Young, 47, Yixuan Cheng, 27, and Faraz Tahir, 30, also died.
Ms Singleton’s sister, Sally Singleton Hawach, has posted on social media her sister “embodied love”.
“Dawnie, you embodied love. Always spoke with words of such kindness. With a smile that warmed all our hearts” she posted.
The tribute included a photo collage and “#foreveryoung”.
“And that laugh I now play on repeat in my videos. You were so loved. I love you little sis. Till we meet again,” she posted.
The man responsible for killing six people, and the physical injuries of at least 12 others, was shot dead by police.
Up to eighteen people were stabbed at Bondi Westfield, with five dead on-site and one woman dying later in hospital. Those killed were Faraz Tahir, 30, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Dawn Singleton, 25, Pikria Dachria, 55 and Yixuan Cheng, 27.
Cauchi, 40, a Queensland man who had recently moved to Sydney, was shot dead during the rampage.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb told reporters at the time the stabbings were not seen as an “act of terror” as there was “no ideological motivation”.
In a statement released on their behalf by Queensland police, Cauchi’s parents, Andrew and Michele, said Joel’s actions were “truly horrific”.
“We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday,” they said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.
“Joel’s actions 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.
“We are in contact with both the NSW Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is coping alright.”
Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe said Cauchi had been diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 17, and that his mental health had declined in the last few years.
A statement from Queensland Health confirmed Cauchi had been treated for mental health issues more than a decade ago, but “his care was transferred to a psychiatrist in the private sector in 2012”.
Assistant Commissioner Lowe said Cauchi’s family had reached out to police after seeing footage of the horrific fatal attack on television and had been “assisting in all elements that they can to gain an understanding of why their son, in this particular case, allegedly behaved in this manner and killed people in a public place.”
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