Face of evil: Qld killer Joel Cauchi’s disturbing social media posts

The Queensland man responsible for a deadly rampage at a Bondi Junction shopping centre reportedly had schizophrenia, a fixation on knives, and had made disturbing posts online about guns.

The Queensland man responsible for the deadly rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre yesterday had a fixation on knives and his parents were so concerned they previously took the implements away from him, it can be revealed.

It’s understood Joel Cauchi had schizophrenia and had been off his medication.

Joel Cauchi.

His distraught family is understood to have frantically contacted police concerned their son was involved in the Bondi attack on Saturday.

Cauchi had been living in New South Wales since last month. Before he left Queensland his parents, who live in Toowoomba, had taken knives away from him.

He had also previously posted on social media about wanting to meet with people who “shoot guns”.

Cauchi posted in a Facebook group Outdoor Adventures – Hikes, Water Sports, Snow Boarding, Camping and Etc on December 6, 2020.

“Hi I am looking for groups of people who shoot guns, including handguns, to meet up with, chat with and get to know,” he said.

“Please send me a DM if you can help me out! I live in Brisbane by the way.”

Joel Cauchi had posted on social media about surfing at Bondi.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb on Sunday said Cauchi was not known “criminally” but had been known to police, although it is understood he had a brief interaction with NSW Police in The Rocks last June, where he was stopped and searched, before being let go..

“He’s not known criminally, but he has come to the notice of law enforcement, in this state and Queensland for mental health related issues,” she said.

It is understood Cauchi was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager and interacted with the Queensland Health system until 2012 when he transitioned to GP-led care.

Queensland Health on Sunday confirmed Cauchi had not received mental health treatment through them since 2012.

“Queensland Health extends our sympathies to everyone involved in the tragic incident in NSW,” a spokesman said.

“We will work with Queensland and NSW police on any information and assistance we can provide.

“The man had been treated by Queensland Health for mental health issues more than a decade ago but his care was transferred to a psychiatrist in the private sector in 2012.”

Queensland Health further confirmed a review of their records showed all other contact with the Queensland Health system was for non-mental health related matters, most recently four years ago.

The knifeman running through Bondi Junction Westfield. Twitter

The scene at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Cauchi was an avid poster on social media reviewing many places he ate out and talking about his love of astrophotography.

From his social media posts it is understood had previously lived in Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Toowoomba. 

Just a week ago Cauchi posted about surfing in Bondi and wanting to meet new people.

“Hi, I am surfing Bondi this afternoon if anyone wants to meet there for a surf,” he wrote.

In several photography groups across Queensland and New South Wales he had previously posted asking for a “dark sky site” some place.

His profile says he went to school at Harristown State High School, studied at the University of Southern Queensland and he was an “online english tutor.

In recent months Cauchi had also posted about other hobbies, including learning a second language.

He was also looking to learn German, Russian and Swedish in exchange for English lessons.

“Hi I am looking for a fluent Swedish speaker for a language exchange! I am a fluent English speaker and can teach that in exchange for being taught Swedish if you are interested,” he posted in the Aloha Sydney – Language Exchange Party group.