Bondi stabbings: Proof tragedy doesn’t discriminate

The heart-rending list of victims from Saturday’s stabbing spree at Bondi Junction is a snapshot of quintessential Australia.

The victims from Saturday’s horrific stabbing spree at Bondi Junction. From top left: Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Pikria Darchi, Faraz Tahir and Yixuan Cheng.

A Chinese uni student in Bondi Junction for a post-exam shopping trip. A refugee who’d fled persecution in Pakistan, at work as a security guard. An artist who hailed from Tbilisi in Georgia. An osteopath and first-time Sydney mum with her baby in a pram. An architect and much loved surf life saving club member. The daughter of one of the country’s best known businessmen, out looking for makeup for her upcoming wedding.

The heart-rending list of victims from Saturday’s stabbing spree at Bondi Junction in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is a snapshot of quintessential Australia where migrants and locals, professionals and students, the privileged and the strugglers all rub along.

It proves what we all know: tragedy doesn’t discriminate. This was a murderous rampage that nudged all corners of the country, spread its evil tentacles into families and workplaces, clubs and communities from all spheres of life.

In China, a family learnt their 27-year-old daughter Cheng Yixuan, a University of Sydney student doing her masters in economics, was among the victims.

She’d recently finished her exams and had gone clothes shopping, reportedly calling her fiance on WeChat ­moments before the stabbing.

“She happily talked to me on the phone at around 3 o clock in the afternoon,” a translated report from Chinese-language app Australia Today reported him saying.

He said his heart skipped a beat when he heard about the stabbing spree and as his increasingly frantic calls to her phone went unanswered.

Another international Chinese student is among seven people who remain in hospital after sustaining injuries in the attack. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unfortunate death of one Chinese student and the serious injury of another,’’ the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

Floral tributes and condolences from members of the public outside Westfield Bondi Junction this morning after the massacre on the weekend. Picture: David Swift

In Sydney, businessman John Singleton feared the worst. His daughter Dawn, 25, an e-commerce assistant at White Fox boutique, had gone to Westfield Bondi Junction to buy makeup at the Chanel boutique ahead of her upcoming marriage to childhood sweetheart and police officer Ashley Wildey, who was on duty and was among the officers called to the scene only to be shielded by his colleagues when they realised she was a victim, according to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. Desperate for information, Mr Singleton reached out to his old mate, radio host Ray Hadley.

“I got a text from Singo about half past six, pleading for me to ring him,’’ Mr Hadley told 3AW.

Mr Singleton said: “I think my Dawnie is one of those who has lost their life. I can’t confirm it, can you do something?”

Hadley has connections. He made some calls and got through to NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who confirmed Dawn was a victim. “I had the job of ringing John back and officially confirming his dear, darling daughter had been stabbed to death by this lunatic,’’ Hadley said.

Dawn Singleton and her NSW Policeman partner Ash Wildey

In Sydney, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was in mourning for Faraz Tahir, 30, who moved to Australia as a refugee only a year ago, fleeing persecution in Pakistan. “He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness,’’ the group said in a statement.

Having recently moved from Brisbane looking for work, he had reportedly completed just four or five shifts at the shopping centre and Saturday marked his first daytime shift. Aside from the murderer, Joel Cauchi who was shot dead at the scene, Mr Tahir was the only male among the dead

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Australia said the young security guard lost his life while saving others. “Another Pakistani citizen got injured during the horrific attacks. He is hospitalised but is in a stable condition,’’ the Commissioner said in a statement.

Faraz Tahir, a security guard who lost his life in the Bondi Westfields stabbing attack on Saturday April 13th, 2024.

In Sydney, family and colleagues of Jade Young, 47, expressed their disbelief that the loving wife and mother of two daughters had died in the attack. The architect at Georgina Wilson Associates was a “beautiful, kind and warm soul’,’ according to the firm. She was an active member of Bronte Surf Lifesaving club which cancelled a scheduled event when news filtered through.

“Many club members will be affected by the loss of Jade and the impact of this senseless and tragic event will affect each of us differently,’’ the club said.

Pikria Darchia, a 55-year-old artist from Georgia in Eastern ­Europe, is believed to be a mother of two but at the request of her family few others details are being released about her.

Ashlee Good, a 38-year-old first-time mum and daughter of former AFL player Kerry Good, was remembered as an outstanding human. Eye witnesses said the injured osteopath handed her wounded baby to strangers. Her family said in a statement: “... we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee ... To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not – words cannot express our gratitude.’’