Bondi Junction Stabbings: Dawn Singleton shopping for her wedding when she was killed

Dawn Singleton’s policeman fiance was called to the scene of Bondi’s mass stabbing on Saturday, before discovering his childhood sweetheart was one of Joel Cauchi’s victims.

The daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton was shopping for makeup for her upcoming wedding to a NSW Police officer when she was stabbed to death in the horror Westfield Bondi Junction massacre.

The 25-year-old had a wedding dress fitting just last week and sent out save-the-date invitations ahead of marrying her childhood sweetheart Ashley Wildey.

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

A family friend of Mr Wildey said the wedding had been booked at a venue in Arcadia, in Sydney’s northwest.

“She only bought her wedding dress last week,” the friend said.

Dawn Singleton and her NSW policeman partner Ash Wildey were planning their wedding. Picture: Facebook

“He was on duty or on call so she had gone shopping. She was outside Chanel.

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

“The whole wedding was booked. They used the same wedding planners as Kyle Sandilands.

“I just want to know, where were the men? Why could this man not be stopped?”

Mr Wildey had finished his shift before the attack but was recalled to duty as NSW Police officers scrambled to deal with the unfolding crisis.

He arrived at Westfield Bondi Junction before colleagues identified his fiancée as one of the victims.

“He had arrived at Westfield when officers realised his fiancée was one of the victims,” a source told The Daily Telegraph.

Police then followed procedure, taking him from the scene to be comforted by friends and relatives.

John Singleton with his “perfect Dawnie” when she was a child. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Ms Singleton is one of three daughters Singleton had during his marriage to lawyer Julie Martin.

Those close to Ms Martin have remembered Ms Singleton as an “absolutely beautiful girl”.

However, they are devastated that neither her mother or Mr Wildey had been able to formally identify the body by Sunday afternoon.

“They don’t even know when they can see her,” one source said.

Ms Singleton and Mr Wildey had been together since high school, having met in the eastern suburbs social circle.

“They are childhood sweethearts, each other’s first boyfriend and girlfriend,” a source said.

Friends Ms Singleton fought back tears as they placed a huge bouquet of pink and white flowers on a shrine outside the shopping centre.

“I’ve known her since I was five years old,” Emmi Shannon said.

“We went to Kambala together.

“She was just so down to earth, humble, sweet and hard working. She was just amazing.”

The 25 year old said Ms Singleton “loved shopping” and channelled that passion into her job working at Australian fashion brand White Fox.

“She was just so sweet. She was just perfect,” Ms Shannon said.

Friend Andre Illic said Ms Singleton was “overall, just a beautiful person and genuine to the end”.

“She always supported us.”

Julie Martin and John Singleton with two of their daughters, Summer, then 4, and Dawnie, then 6. Picture: Giulio Saggin

Another friend described Ms Singleton as “so nice and so sweet.”

White Fox released a statement on Sunday afternoon in loving memory of “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,” a post to Instagram read.

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

Ms Singleton was named after her father’s longstanding friend and swimming legend

Dawn Fraser, who family said was too “devastated” by the news to speak publicly.

Singleton, a longtime racehorse breeder and owner, named his filly Dawnie Perfect after his daughter.

“Everyone says the filly is named after Dawn Fraser but that isn’t right,’’ Singleton told The Daily Telegraph in 2015.

“She is named after my 17-year-old daughter, Dawnie, and I think she is perfect.

“Her dream is to open a beauty salon one day and call it Dawnie Perfect — so there you have it.’’

Ms Singleton is one of five women, and six victims in total, to be killed in the Westfield attack at the hands of Joel Cauchi.

The prestigious Sydney high school she attended, Kambala, paid tribute to her on Sunday morning.

“Dear Kambala community, we are saddened and shocked by the events that transpired yesterday at Westfield Bondi Junction. Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragedy,” the statement reads.

Dawn and Ashley Wildey were childhood sweethearts, who met while they were still at school. Picture: Facebook

“It is devastating to learn of the death of Kambala Old Girl Dawn (Dawnie) Singleton 2016.

“Dawnie had been at Kambala since Preparation and was a valued student at our School.

“We extend our sincere condolences to her family and acknowledge that the loss of a family member from such a random act must be exceptionally hard to comprehend.”

The school has offered counselling to students.

“There is no doubt that the ramifications from this incident may continue to unfold over the coming days and weeks, with many of our community potentially affected,” the statement continues.

“The whole of the Kambala staff are ready and waiting to support our girls and families in any way we can.

“A reminder that structure, routine and connection can be incredibly helpful in the aftermath of such events.”

Dawn is being remembered as ‘an absolutely beautiful girl’.

NSW Liberal MP Anthony Roberts was among the friends offering support to Ms Singleton’s fiance.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of your fiancee Dawn Singleton at Bondi Junction yesterday,” he wrote.

“This is undoubtedly a profound loss, and my heart goes out to you during this unimaginably difficult time.

“As a detective with the NSW Police, you exhibit strength and resilience daily, qualities that are admirable yet tested under such grevious circumstances.

“Remember, it’s okay to lean on your loved ones and allow others to help shoulder this burden.

“Dawn, the cherished daughter of John and Julie Singleton, will be remembered fondly by all who knew her.

“Please accept my deepest sympathies. I am here for you, and do not hesitate to reach out should you need anything.”

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