In the days following the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction, Australians across the country banded together to share messages of comfort and support for the families of the innocent victims who tragically lost their lives in the senseless attack.
On Saturday 13th of April, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi went on a stabbing spree in the crowded Sydney shopping centre. He took the lives of six people in an event New South Wales premier Chris Minns described as “nothing short of horrific”.
Here, we remember and pay tribute to the poor Bondi stabbing victims who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Ashlee Good
Ash was a 38-year-old account executive and mother to nine-month-old daughter Harriet. Originally from Victoria, the daughter of former Aussie rules footballer Kerry Good was described by loved ones as a ray of sunshine and positivity.
In a final act as a selfless and loving mother, Ash managed to hand her baby daughter over to two brothers. It was a bid to get her to safety after the attacker had stabbed them both.
“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,” her family wrote in a statement. “We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.”
Dawn Singleton
Dawn is remembered as an “amazing, sweet and kind-hearted” person by loved ones.
The 25-year-old e-commerce fashion assistant and daughter of multi-millionaire ad man John Singleton was set to marry her fiancé Ashley Wildey, a policeman who was called to the scene of the stabbings, not knowing the love of his life had just been attacked.
“I should be here writing your wedding speech, but instead I sit here sobbing, coming to terms with how life isn’t fair that you are no longer here,” said her cousin Jade O’Connor.
“I’m not sure how I’m meant to live in a world without you. I’m so broken and can’t believe this is reality. I love you so much, Dawn, and I’ll remember you every day for the rest of my life.”
Faraz Tahir
Having arrived in Australia from Pakistan in December 2022, Faraz, 30, was on his very first day in the job as a mall security guard when the attack took place.
He was a highly respected member of Sydney’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community. They released a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, as well as with all the other Bondi stabbing victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence.
“We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the broader community as we come together to support one another in the face of tragedy.”
Jade Young
Those who knew architect, surf lifesaver and mother-of-two Jade, 47, describe her as a “beautiful, kind and warm soul”.
In an emotional statement, her friends wrote, “We are speechless for such a lovely young lady no longer being here, taken away in the prime of her life.
“The sadness we feel and the impact this will have are immeasurable. It is forever.”
Georgina Wilson Associates, where Jade had worked for 12 years, posted, “We are completely devastated. All our love goes out to her family.”
Pikria Darchia
Pikria, 55, was a mother of two sons and an artist from the Eastern European nation of Georgia.
Friends flocked to her Facebook page to offer condolences for her loved ones. Sophie Kato posted, “I miss you so much already!”
“May God enlighten your soul,” another friend wrote in Georgian script.
Yixuan Cheng
Yixuan, 27, was a student at the University of Sydney, where she was studying for a Master’s degree in economics.
Originally from the Anhui province of China, she was planning to marry her partner back home after graduating at the end of the year.
Speaking to a Chinese publication, Yixuan’s fiancé said, “She happily talked to me on the phone at around three in the afternoon. She even tried on clothes for me to see.”
University vice chancellor Professor Mark Scott sent out an email to staff and students. In it, he said he was shocked and saddened by the “senseless act of violence and loss of life”.
