Daughter criticises John Singleton over 60 Minutes interview on eve of inquest hearing

The younger sister of a Bondi Junction stabbing victim has hit out over her father’s TV interview on the eve of an inquest into her death.

John Singleton has been criticised by his daughter for granting 60 Minutes an interview on the eve of Monday’s inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbings.

Daisy Singleton, the younger sister of Dawn who was brutally and randomly slain by Joel Cauchi in April 2024 at Westfield Bondi Junction, has given her father and the Nine program a painful reprimand on social media.

Daisy, one of three daughters Singleton had with lawyer Julie Martin during their 10-year marriage, took aim at her father calling into doubt the businessman’s claims he’d spent “almost every day” of the last two weeks of Dawn’s life with her.

It comes as a directions hearing into the upcoming inquest on Monday heard family members of Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia killed had submitted a list of issues they want examined.

Sue Chrysanthou, appearing for the Good, Young and Singleton families — however not Dawn’s father, John — said the families were grateful for the inquest and the sensitivity shown by the assisting team.

“He had simply not seen her since she was 8 and has no business speaking about her on national TV while (her) family is grieving,” Daisy posted to Nine’s 60 Minutes’ Instagram account overnight.

Australian businessman John Singleton on 60 Minutes on Sunday. Picture: 60 Minutes

Dawn Singleton was one of six people stabbed to death at Westfield Bondi Junction. Picture: 60 Mins

Calling herself Daisy May, Dawn’s sister – and champion – took shot after shot at her father: “’It’s hard we’re talking about it..’ he says whilst grinning on national TV in an interview he chose to do despite all the family begging him not to,” she wrote.

“’Just a beautiful little girl’. She was 25 … He left her and the family when she was 8 years old. That is why he only speaks about her as a young child and there is (sic) only pictures of her as a young child. He did not know her from the ages of 8-25. Her family begged him not to do this interview and he did it anyway but had nothing to say about her as an adult.”

The 19-year-old also criticised 60 Minutes for giving Singleton a platform to express his grief.

Daisy Singleton has hit out at her father John. Picture: Instagram

Daisy Singleton with partner Ben Yeats. Picture: Instagram

As some viewers posted in defence of 60 Minutes and Singleton’s call for an inquest to be dropped, Daisy branded her father “evil” and contradicted his anti-inquest position.

“The inquest is absolutely needed. This should never have happened and identifying the gaps (in mental health systems, shopping centre security, police response) means it can prevent future incidents,” posted one Instagram user.

“Yes,” replied Daisy.

Daisy Singleton hitting out at her father John Singleton for his sit-down with 60 Minutes. Picture: Instagram

Another took aim at the multi-millionaire whose personal fortune has been valued at $760 million.

“STOP STOP it’s impossible. I’m a millionaire and I don’t know what to do with the money,” they posted prompting a bitter response from Daisy “HAHAHAHAHAHAH”.

To another she said: “He actually thinks he’s the only person on this planet.”

Daisy’s boyfriend Ben Yeats also weighed in addressing speculation Singleton was paid for his sad interview.

“I do know the family,” Yeats wrote. “Yes he got paid. It’s a lot to me. It has changed my life …”

Daisy is one of three daughters John Singleton has with his ex-wife Julie Martin, pictured here in 2001.

Nine denied Singleton was paid for the interview when asked by news.com.au.

Daisy is one of eight children the businessman former media boss and keen punter fathered during seven failed marriages.

She is Singleton’s youngest child with Julie Martin and was born in 2006, after siblings Dawn and Summer.

The couple’s marriage ended just months later.

Singleton told 60 Minutes an inquest into the slaughter of his daughter and five others killed in the attack, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia, was “absolutely stupid”.

“I think it’s just a waste of time, if it’s going to prove anything at all.”

Video footage shows the moments Joel Cauchi went on his stabbing rampage through Bondi Westfield shopping centre on April 13, 2024. Picture: 9News

Six people were killed, and several others seriously injured. Picture: David Gray / AFP

“(Cauchi) killed these people. He gets killed. End of story. What else do they want to find out? For four weeks.”

Of concern, he said, was the possible airing of footage of the crime spree which might trigger copycat killings.

Singleton informed interviewer Grimshaw all that was left to him, of life, was his dog and the movies, which he can no longer watch due to tears.

“I can’t go to the movies anymore because as soon as the lights go down I cry,” the 83-year-old said.

“I don’t know why that is. I haven’t been to a psychiatrist. I’m not that silly.

“I used to talk to my dog. Working pretty good …

“I used to drink my way out of it, now I don’t drink.”

Originally published as Daughter criticises John Singleton over 60 Minutes interview on eve of inquest hearing