Mall killer ‘had mental health issues and was known to cops’
Knifeman’s family: Cauchi rampage was horrific
SYDNEY knife killer Joel Cauchi had suffered mental health issues since he was a teenager, his family said yesterday.
The 40-year-old was known to police before stabbing six people to death in a shopping mall rampage.
It also emerged Cauchi had tried to join gun clubs, but was not involved with any terror group.
As more details came to light about his victims, including a heroic security guard who tried to stop him, his family even asked after Inspector Amy Scott who shot the gunman dead.
They said: “We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment. Joel’s actions were horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what happened.
“He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager. We 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 all right.” New South Wales Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke added: “We are working through the profiling of the offender but clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved.”
Four women, Dawn Singleton, Jade Young, Pikria Darchia and another as yet unnamed, died at the scene along with selfless security guard Faraz Tahir.
Victim Ashlee Good, 38, passed away later in hospital. She threw her nine-month-old daughter Harriet to strangers as Cauchi targeted her.
The tot was injured in the attack but Ashlee’s family said the child is “doing well”. They added: “We are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, and outstanding human.”
Dawn, 25, recently got engaged and had just bought her wedding dress. Jade, 47, had studied in the UK at the Architectural Association School in London and worked as an architect in Sydney.
Pikria was a 55-year-old artist originally from Tbilisi in Georgia.
The Australian Pakistani National Association hailed Faraz’s actions as “courageous”.
Eleven people were last night receiving treatment in hospitals for a range of injuries.
Cauchi was from Toowoomba in Queensland but moved to Sydney. The keen surfer claimed he worked as an English tutor.
In a December 2020 Facebook post he wrote: “I am looking for groups of people who shoot guns, including handguns.”
Cauchi also advertised himself online as a male escort, saying he was an “athletic, good-looking 39-year-old” looking for a “fun time”.