Plympton-based real estate agency honours attack victims, calls for SA’s mental health system revamp

Colleagues of alleged murder victim Julie Seed have broken their silence, as they rally behind affected families while calling for a revamp of our state’s “broken” mental health system.

The REAL Estate Agents Group has broken its silence following the horrific daylight attack that left much-loved employee Julie Seed dead and another fighting for her life.

Property Manager and mother-of-two Ms Seed was allegedly murdered by Sean Michaels Dunk, 30, in a random attack inside her Plympton office on Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Seed died at the scene, while her co-worker Sue Scardajno, 50, was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with serious injuries.

In a statement posted on social media, REAL Estate Agency Group’s principal and director Ally Comley said the agency had been left shocked and devastated.

“You will have no doubt heard of the tragic attack that unfolded at our office on Wednesday,” Ms Comley wrote in the Sunday morning post.

“We are devastated at the heart-rending loss of our Property Manager, Julie, and the serious injuries sustained by our Team Leader, Sue.

Flowers left at the scene where a Julie Seed died and her co-worker, Sue, 50, was left with serious injuries after a horrific stabbing attack in Adelaide on Wednesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“I give them their titles here simply as a courtesy, as these two girls were more importantly our REAL sisters – an integral part of our REAL family who we love wholly.

“We are all still recovering from this shock, but it’s important to reach out to acknowledge some incredible people.”

In honour of Ms Seed’s life, Ms Comley called for an “immediate overhaul of the state’s mental health system”, believing it had “utterly failed so many” people.

“There is no person at fault here. We cannot blame the unfortunate medical staff who released the (alleged) offender – these too are real people who I’m sure must also be badly affected right now.

“I feel for them. They are duty-bound to follow processes. The blame lies entirely in the inadequacies of the broken system they work within, not them personally.

“From here, we will regroup somehow and get our REAL family back together again as quickly as we can to continue to serve our clients. This will be an important healing for us all.”

Julie 'Julez' Seed, 38, is pictured with her fiance Chris Smith. Picture: Supplied by Chris Smith

Julie 'Julez' Seed, 38, is pictured with her fiance Chris Smith. Picture: Supplied by Chris Smith

Ms Comley continued to thank those who offered and provided support during the ordeal, particularly the agency’s co-tenant who intervened in a “bravely and timely” manner that ultimately “saved Sue’s life”.

“We are full of gratitude to the number of amazing paramedics who attended to our girls with such skill and professionalism and who worked tirelessly to save Julie,” Ms Comley wrote.

“Our sincere thanks to the police officers who took control and showed such care for our team as we stood by. All of those first responders are next level.

“Julie’s family are suffering incredibly with the pain of their loss and we feel deeply for them. Sue was severely injured but pulled through due to her inner strength and the hand of God. “She is an inspirational woman and is already making a remarkable recovery due to her tenacity. But her emotional healing I’m sure, will be lengthy. We will stand by all of them in every way possible.

Murder victim Julie 'Julez' Seed. Picture: Supplied by Chris Smith

Stabbing at Plympton, flowers at the door. Pictured on 22nd December 2023. Picture: Ben Clark

“Such tragedies never just stay within a few. They have a ripple effect and in this case, the emotional damage to many families is immense.

“Our direct families, our friends, our dear clients, our awesome tradies (and) other suppliers who are all part of our REAL family, and our entire real estate community … all have been affected deeply.”

Ms Comley said two South Australian industry leaders started a GoFundMe fundraiser in hopes of providing “essential financial help” to the affected families.

The fundraiser, opened less than 24 hours ago, has raised more than $3200 of its $5000 target.

“In a tragic turn of events, members of our South Australian property management and real estate community have been profoundly affected by an act of violence at their workplace,” the fundraiser’s organiser wrote.

“One precious life has been lost, and another individual is seriously injured, sending shockwaves through both the business and the community it serves.

“The road to recovery won’t be easy, but we can all contribute to the healing process.”

Dunk has been charged with a murder and attempted murder over the incident and been remanded in custody.