Tragic way man learned his fiancee was a victim of horrific Bondi attack

Dawn Singleton was at Westfield Bondi shopping for wedding makeup when the horrific incident occurred. Warning: Contains distressing content.

Please note: this article contains distressing content

Heartbreaking details about one of the victims, Dawn Singleton, have emerged following the horrific tragedy that rocked the nation on Saturday.  

Dawn Singleton was shopping for makeup at the Chanel boutique in the lead-up to her wedding to childhood sweetheart Ashley Wildley when she was fatally stabbed by 40yo Joel Cauchi.

She had only been in the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre for 15 minutes when the man attacked, stabbing and murdering five women and one man. 

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Dawn Singleton was killed while buying makeup for her wedding. Picture: Facebook

Bondi victim was shopping for wedding makeup before attack

Dawn and Ashley had been together since high school, and were planning their wedding; she recently bought her wedding dress and booked a venue in Sydney’s northwest. 

“They are childhood sweethearts, each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend,” a source told The Daily Telegraph. “The whole wedding was booked.” 

Ashley, a police officer, was on duty at the time, so Dawn went shopping for the wedding.

“She’d just gone in to buy makeup at Chanel, she was only there for 15 minutes, looking at makeup for her wedding,” the source added. 

Devastatingly, Ashley was also one of the policemen called to the scene. 

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He had just finished his shift when NSW Police issued an alert urging officers to attend Bondi Junction following a spike in triple-0 calls. 

“He had arrived at Westfield when officers realised his fiancée was one of the victims,” the source said. 

Upon hearing his fiancée was one of the victims, he was taken away and comforted by family, per NSW Police procedure. 

“He is devastated,” a friend said. “He is getting a lot of help from NSW Police. They are looking after him.” 

RELATED: ‘Bloody legend’: Dad’s heroic act to save young girls from Bondi stabbing

Dawn's fiance was one of the police officers on the scene. Picture: Facebook

Dawn remembered as a “sweet” and “kind” person

Dawn is remembered as a “kind” and ”beautiful” person, a friend Emmi Shannon told The Daily Telegraph.

“I’ve known her since I was five years old … She was just so down to earth, humble, sweet and hard-working,” she said. “She was amazing.”

Dawn was passionate about her role as an e-commerce assistant at the fashion retailer White Fox Boutique and “always supported” her friends and family. 

“She was just so sweet. She was just perfect,” Emmi added. 

A statement from White Fox paid tribute to Dawn, remembering her as “someone special to us who felt like a family member.” 

“Dawn was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing,” read the statement. 

“We send our love and deepest condolences to her partner, the Singleton family and her friends.” 

Originally published as Tragic way man learned his fiancee was a victim of horrific Bondi attack