Bourke St mall horror: Sydney victim Jessica Mudie mourned as floral tribute grows

SYDNEY beauty Jessica Mudie, described by her family as ‘a bright bubble of joy” was excited as she strolled through Melbourne on Friday. Seconds later she was dead, mowed down with dozens of others by a maniac in a speeding car.

• Events leading to the deadly mall attack
• Mall maniac faces murder charges

BEAUTIFUL Jessica Mudie was just 22 years old, full of laughter and passionate about life.

The young Sydney woman — who was described by her family yesterday as an ‘‘inspiration” and a “bright bubble of joy” — was excited about a new year full of ­opportunities as she strolled through the centre of Melbourne.

Seconds later she was dead, mowed down by a suspected ­maniac in cold blood.

Jessica Mudie, victim of Bourke St mall tragedy. Picture: Instagram

As her family and friends struggled to come to terms with her violent and pointless death, social media images of the party-loving blonde were circulated showing her smiling and laughing.

A cocktail called Remember Me in the Morning was said to be her drink of choice.

Yesterday, thousands of mourners flooded Bourke St in the heart of Melbourne to remember not just Ms Mudie, but the other four victims of the terrible carnage when a driver appeared to deliberately run down pedestrians in the city centre on Friday during a senseless rampage.

Ms Mudie had an “extravagant humour” and always laughed at her own jokes, her family said in an emotional statement.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lays a floral tribute for the victims of the Bourke Street attack in Melbourne. Picture: Paul Jeffers / Getty Images

Public outpouring... A floral memorial in Bourke Street. Picture: David Crosling

‘‘To our dearest and most badass daughter and sister, Jess,” the statement said.

“You will always be a part of us and are one of the strongest people we know.

“We are constantly inspired by your love for everyone around you and the lengths you will go to for the people you love.

“We love your extravagant humour, the fact that you always laughed at your own jokes and your ridiculous names for everything.

“You are always up to do everything and are such a bright bubble of joy.”

Her parents and siblings finished their tribute with a quote from Pride and Prejudice: “There is a stubbornness about me that can never bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to ­intimidate me.”

Victim Matthew Si was 33.

Victim Thalia Hakin was 10.

Ms Mudie, from Wattle Grove in Sydney’s southwest, was a consultant for insurance broker Marsh and was visiting Melbourne when she was hit by the red Commodore driven by alleged killer Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas.

“We were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of our dear colleague,” Marsh CEO Scott Leney said.

“Although with us for just under a year, she had already won the admiration and friendship of those she worked with and had a bright future ahead of her.”

The family of another of the five victims Matthew Si said they were shattered by the loss of a loving father, brother and son.

The floral tribute on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speak at the Bourke Street floral tribute after five people, including an infant, were killed on Friday. Picture: Paul Jeffers / Getty Images

The 33-year-old had been eating lunch with his wife Melinda just minutes before he was hit.

Mrs Si said she had been left “shattered” but she was thankful for the people who tried to save her husband.

“Matt was a devoted husband and a loving father, brother and son,” Mrs Si said.

Hundreds of mourners gathered last night at a Jewish service in St Kilda East to honour the life of one of the youngest killed in Friday’s devastation. Thalia Hakin was just 10 years old when she was run down and killed.

Her school principal, Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler, said the community was “heartbroken” by the loss of the friendly Beth Rivkah College student.

Tragically, her mother Nathalie was still fighting for life in hospital.

Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas exhibits dangerous driving behaviour in a Melbourne intersection just moments before his deadly rampage on Friday. Picture: Tony Gough

Younger sister Maggie, aged 9, also in hospital, was being supported by father Tony after learning of Thalia’s death.

Rabbi Smukler said the community worried how Maggie would cope without her older sister. “(Thalia) was a really doting and caring older sister,” he said. “She would come and check on her sister every day.”

Thalia, who was due to start grade five next month, was remembered as a popular pupil who had made friends with children across different year levels.

“She was a really sweet kid ... humble, caring, friendly,” Rabbi Smukler said.

The death toll from the carnage rose to five people at the weekend with the loss of a three-month-old baby boy who died of his injuries.