Mass killer’s fixation with knives, DV complaint against parents

Bondi knifeman Joel Cauchi called police to claim “domestic violence” after his parents hid knives from him, it can be revealed, as a woman has revealed her dating experience with the killer.

Mass murderer Joel Cauchi had a fixation with blades and called police to make a domestic violence claim after his parents hid knives from him at their Toowoomba home, it can be revealed.

Cauchi, 40, has been identified as the lone attacker who stabbed six people to death, including a mother who saved her critically injured baby, at the busy Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, before he was shot dead by a police officer.

Details of his turbulent life in Queensland have emerged – including that he was fixated with knives, advertised himself as an escort, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17 and spent a number of years living on the streets in Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.

Cauchi is understood to have been upset when his parents hid knives from him and made a domestic violence claim to police.

Queensland police investigated the incident but did not take any action because no domestic violence had been committed.

When asked whether Cauchi had called the police on his family because they had taken away his knives, Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe said they were aware of an event in 2023.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lays s floral tribute at Oxford Street Mall. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL 14, 2024: Floral tributes at Bondi Junction today after 6 people were killed in a massacre at Bondi Westfield yesterday afternoon. Allegra Weeden and Ella Finlay lay flowers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“We are aware of an event in 2023 which we are investigating, but again that forms part of the more broader inquiries into his conduct, his health, his interaction with treating practitioners, his recent whereabouts in New South Wales, where he might be living and what’s changed from a person who is 40 and has for a number of years functioned in society to commit such a horrific crime,” Mr Lowe said.

“We responded to an event in early 2023 with him and his family and it will form (part of) the investigations. But he’s never been charged with any offence relating to knives, he’s never been found in possession of knives in a manner that’s unlawful that would warrant prosecution.”

Police confirmed their last interaction with Cauchi was a “street check” on the Gold Coast in 2023.

The Assistant Commissioner said Cauchi was known to Queensland police, but recent interactions had been limited.

“The man has never been arrested by police in Queensland or charged with any criminal offence or had any domestic violence order against him,” Mr Lowe said.

“Queensland police have primarily had contact with this individual over the last 4-5 years … we are aware this individual has suffered with mental health.”

A man believed to be the father of Joel Cauchi arrives at the family home in Toowoomba on Sunday night.

He said Cauchi was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17. The Courier-Mail understands he was not taking medication.

Mr Lowe said Cauchi’s family reached out to authorities after seeing footage of the Bondi Junction incident and provided information to them, which was passed on to NSW police.

“They saw the footage and believed it may well have been their son,” he said.

Police were seen at the family’s Toowoomba home on Sunday. A man identified by a neighbour as Cauchi’s father arrived at the house on Sunday night.

The parents on Sunday afternoon issued a statement via police saying they were devastated by their son’s actions and that the police officer who shot him was just doing her job.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time,” they said.

“Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened.

“He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.

“We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others and we hope she is coping all right.”

The Bondi attacker has been named as 40-year-old Queensland man Joel Cauchi. Picture: 9 NEWS

The Assistant Commissioner said Cauchi’s parents did not have regular contact with their son and the last contact they had with him was in March.

He said he had been itinerant in the last few years.

“From Brisbane or Carina or the Gold Coast … that’s been primarily the locations where the Queensland Police Service has had interaction, frequently back to his parents’ residence in the southern police region,” he said.

“We believe he has been sleeping in a vehicle or backpackers’ according to the family’s information, understanding the family did not have regular conduct.”

Mr Lowe said Cauchi had no criminal history in Queensland.

“He has not been prosecuted or arrested or charged for any offence within Queensland and he has no record within the courts for domestic violence,” he said.

Cauchi was advertising his services online as a male escort after arriving in Sydney, with a profile on Escorts Australia listing his physical characteristics as well as what he offered.

“I am an athletic, good-looking 39-year-old guy,” the profile said.

“Let me gently massage all of your body… I can do romantic or anything you desire.”

A neighbour at the Cauchi family’s Toowoomba home, who wished to reman anonymous, said he had met Joel and described him as disturbed.

Police outside the Toowoomba family home of Joel Cauchi on Sunday. Picture: Toowoomba Chronicle

“It’s a spin out, he could have done that here,” the man said.

“They seem like a nice family with a nice house but he had schizophrenia growing up.”

Homeless outreach group Tony’s Kitchen founder Tony Hurle offered his sympathies to everyone affected by the tragedy.

“Joel was known to us, but we never had any issues with him,” he said.

“We know that he was sleeping rough and spent some time on Water St South near the hospital where a lot of rough sleepers congregate.

“Joel was one of those people that you would see once and he would disappear for two weeks, then turn up again.

“I know a lot of agencies had reached out to Joel, but he slipped through the cracks.”

Another neighbour who lives opposite the Cauchis said they were a deeply spiritual family who would have been rocked by what their son has done.

“Joel was very gentle, family orientated person who was very close to his parents,” she said. “Unfortunately he had mental health problems. He was a very quiet person and was not very chatty.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe talks to the media following the horrific knife murders at Bondi. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen / Courier Mail

The women, who wished to remain anonymous out of respect for the family, said their faith would help them get through the tragedy.

“His parents did talk about Joel’s mental health problems but I don’t think they thought anything like this would happen,” she said.

“Some people, when they have mental health problems, they go into themselves and that was Joel.”

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald offered condolences to victims’ families.

“Our hearts are heavy as we reflect on the tragic loss of innocent lives in the recent mass fatal stabbing incident in Bondi, Sydney,” he said.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones who are now grappling with unimaginable pain and grief.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating loss.”

A woman who dated Cauchi in Toowoomba after meeting him online in 2022 said she was shocked when she found out he was the attacker.

“He was sweet and kind and wanted to be a teacher ... we met on a dating site and he seemed fine,” she said. “He took me to lunch and we spent a day at the Japanese Garden. He was fine, I never noticed anything wrong with him.”

Floral tributes at Bondi Junction. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Originally published as Mass killer’s fixation with knives, DV complaint against parents