Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson’s partner Thomas Zinn speaks out

THE partner of Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson has spoken for the first time about his loss.

THE partner of Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson has spoken for the first time about his loss.

Opening up to Today host Lisa Wilkinson, Thomas Zinn has expressed how much he and Tori’s family have been touched by the tributes left at Martin Place, where the 34-year-old cafe manager’s life was tragically cut short as the Sydney siege ended in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Lisa Wilkinson and Tori’s partner Thomas Zinn.

“It’s the most beautiful thing,” he said.

Thomas had been with Tori for 14 years.

Together with Tori’s family, he had visited the site of the terror attack that has now become a sea of floral tributes in the centre of Sydney’s CBD earlier this week.

“Tori loves flowers and this is probably the most beautiful,” he said.

“I’m sure he can see it.”

The floral tribute at Martin Place continues to expand. Pic: Toby Zerna

Tori Johnson.

Tori Johnson.

Thomas said when he visited the makeshift memorial he could “smell the flowers through Sydney”.

“I think it’s amazing that he has been able to make our city smell like flowers. I think there is no more beautiful thing that he could have imagined,” he said.

He described his partner as “the most positive human being I’ve ever met”.

“I want him to be remembered as a very humble person and a generous person,” he said.

“He made it very clear that family is the most important thing in our lives and we have to cherish that and make sure we spend enough time with our families, that’s absolute priority.

Thomas thanked the nation for reaching out to the family.

“We cannot undo the events of December 16, but it has made our diverse community even stronger and even more unified,” he said.

Thomas went with Tori’s family to view the flowers and read cards left for Tori and second victim Katrina Dawson.

Two candle tributes with photos of siege victims Tori Johnson left, and Katrina Dawson. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Speaking on the Today show, Wilkinson said Tori’s mother Rowena or ‘Rowie’ as she’s known, was touched by a card left by Katrina’s daughter Sasha.

“I love you mum,” read the card with a drawing by the three-year-old of her and her mum.

The note left by Katrina Dawson's daughter Sasha. Pic: John Grainger

Tori's mother Rowena at the memorial today. Pic: Adam Taylor

Tori's youngest sister Rada and Father of Tori Johnson, Ken visit the memorial.

Tori, the Lindt cafe manager, was praised as a hero as it emerged he had tried to wrestle crazed gunman Man Haron Monis’ weapon from him while hostages fled the cafe after they were held captive for 17 hours.

The 34-year-old was murdered at close range by the hostage taker with a shotgun wound to the head.

The bodies of Tori and 38-year-old barrister and mother of three Katrina, were released and returned to their families overnight in hope funeral plans could be completed before Christmas.

Tributes at a vigil held in Elder Park last night. Pic: Campbell Brodie.