Faces of a tragedy: Families mourn victims of Bondi Junction attacks
Two mums, and two young women preparing for their weddings, are among the six victims of the horrific stabbing attacks at Westfield Bondi Junction.
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A new mum, a mother-of-two, and two young women are among the six victims of Saturday’s horrific stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction.
Five of the six people confirmed killed by Queensland man Joel Cauchi are women. And of the 17 people who were stabbed, 14 were women.
Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27, who was studying for a master’s degree in economics in Australia, has been named as the sixth victim of the massacre.
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According to Chinese media, Ms Cheng had finished some exams and went to Westfield Bondi Junction to try on clothes, chatting to her fiance in China on WeChat just moments before the attack.
Pikria Darchia, 55, has been identified as one of the victims. Her family has requested privacy.
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"Many people will be affected by the loss of Jade"
Bellevue Hill mother-of-two Jade Young was named as a victim earlier on Sunday.
The 47-year-old was a “much-loved” member of the Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club, which shared the news of her death with members in an email on Sunday morning.
“Many Club members will be affected by the loss of Jade and the impact of this senseless and tragic event will affect each of us differently over time,” the message, seen by news.com.au, read.
“We encourage you to seek support from family, friends, fellow Club members or to speak to your GP to assist you in processing this tragedy.
“We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected.”
Ms Young worked as an architect at a firm in Double Bay.
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"Faraz sought refuge in Australia just a year ago"
The only male victim to be killed in the horrific attack was identified on Sunday afternoon as Faraz Tahir.
The 30-year-old has been remembered by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in a statement as “a dedicated security guard who tragically lost his life while serving the public during this attack”.
“Faraz Tahir, aged 30, sought refuge in Australia just a year ago, fleeing persecution in his home country of Pakistan,” the statement read.
“He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness. Faraz was not only a valued member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia but also actively contributed to the charitable endeavours of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth organisation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz’s family and loved ones during this difficult time, as well as with all the other 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.”
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"We are all truly devastated by this loss"
The daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton was earlier named as another of the victims.
Dawn Singleton, 25, was at the shopping centre when she was stabbed to death by attacker Joel Cauchi.
Ms Singleton was an e-commerce assistant at White Fox Boutique, and had previously studied digital and social media at UTS.
The clothing brand paid tribute to Ms Singleton in a post on Instagram, writing that “she will always be remembered as part of the White Fox family”.
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“Over the weekend we lost not only an employee of White Fox but someone special to us who felt like a family member,” the statement read.
“We are all truly devastated by this loss. Dawn was a sweet, kind hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing.
“We send our love and deepest condolences to her partner, the Singleton family & her friends.”
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"She only bought her wedding dress last week"
Ms Singleton was meant to be getting married this year to her “childhood sweetheart”. An unnamed friend told The Daily Telegraph she had “gone in to buy makeup at Chanel … was looking at makeup for her wedding” when she was attacked.
“She only bought her wedding dress last week,” the friend said.
Another friend, Jade O’Connor, wrote in a tribute on Facebook that “I should be writing your wedding speech”.
“Instead I sit here sobbing coming to terms with how life isn’t fair that you are no longer here,” Ms O’Connor wrote.
“Dawn, you were my best friend, my absolute whole world. You were kind and caring and the absolute best dog Mom (sic). You lit up every room you walked into. This year you were meant to be married to the love of your life … I’m not sure how I am 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 will remember you every day for the rest of my life.”
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"We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred"
A total of six people were killed as a result of the attack, including new mum Ashlee Good, 38, who succumbed to her injuries in hospital on Saturday night.
Ms Good’s nine-month-old daughter was also stabbed during the rampage.
She remains in a serious but stable condition in the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick.
Ms Good’s family said they were struggling to come to terms with what had occurred.
“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,’’ the family said 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.
“We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.”
The family wanted to offer thanks to emergency responders and the two men who cared for Ms Good’s baby daughter.
“To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not – words cannot express our gratitude. We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred. We would appreciate peace and privacy while we work through this as a family.”
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"People doing their Saturday afternoon shopping should be safe"
On Sunday morning, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said police were providing support to the families.
“Two of whom would appear have no family in Australia so we are working through and with agencies overseas to attempt to reach out to the families,” Mr Cooke said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his thoughts were with the families of the victims.
“People going about their Saturday afternoon shopping should be safe, shouldn’t be at risk, but tragically, we saw a loss of life and people will be grieving for loved ones today,” Mr Albanese said on Sunday morning.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said at a press conference on Saturday evening that police did not believe the killer had an “ideation”, meaning it was likely not a terrorist attack.
“He is known to law enforcement,” she confirmed.
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Originally published as Faces of a tragedy: Families mourn victims of Bondi Junction attacks
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