- By Tiffanie Turnbull
- BBC News, Sydney
Tributes are pouring in for six people who died in a stabbing attack at a popular Sydney shopping centre.
Joel Cauchi’s victims on Saturday at busy Westfield Bondi Junction were five women and one man. Several other people, including a baby, were injured before Mr. Cauchi was shot.
Authorities said the attack was most likely linked to Mr. Cauchi’s mental health and that it appeared he targeted women.
Here’s what we know so far about those who died.
Dawn Singleton, 25 years old
Ms Singleton, the daughter of well-known Sydney businessman John Singleton, was working in a retail store when the attack began.
In the hours after the attack, his father became increasingly concerned about his presence among the dead, according to Australian radio host and family friend Ray Hadley.
“I called him and he said, ‘I think my Dawnie is one of those who lost her life. I can’t confirm that, is there anything you can do?'” she said. he declared on radio station 2GB.
Hadley explained how he called police contacts and confirmed that Ms Singleton – who he had known since birth – had died.
“It was my job to call John back and officially confirm that his dear, beloved daughter had been stabbed to death by this madman.”
Ms Singleton’s fiancé, who is a police officer, was responding to the attack at the center when the family learned she had been killed.
“The other officers apparently intervened when he got there,” Hadley said.
White Fox Boutique, where Ms Singleton worked, said she was “truly devastated” by her loss.
“Dawn was a sweet and generous person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was truly incredible.”
Jade Young, 47 years old
Ms. Young was an architect and mother of two children.
Her boss, Georgia Wilson, said Ms Young had worked for her boutique business for 12 years and was part of the “family”.
“I can’t even believe I’m writing this, it doesn’t seem real,” she said on Instagram. “Everyone who knew Jade knew what a beautiful, kind and warm soul she was. We are completely devastated.”
The Bronte Surf Life saving Club said Ms Young and her family were “much valued members” and contributors to the local seaside community.
“Many members of the club will be affected by the loss of Jade and the impact of this senseless and tragic event will affect each of us differently over time,” spokesman Basil Scaffidi said.
“On behalf of the Bronte Surf Life saving Club, we extend our deepest condolences to the family.”
Ashlee Good, 38 years old
Ashlee Good was fatally injured while trying to protect her nine-month-old daughter from the knife attack.
Witnesses described how the new mother fled to a nearby store, leaving her baby daughter – who was also injured – with passers-by. They desperately removed clothes from the racks to put pressure on their wounds and stem the bleeding.
Ms Good died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Her daughter underwent surgery and is now in stable condition.
“We are in shock at the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, exceptional human in every way,” the family said in a statement, also thanking those who “took caring for our baby when Ashlee couldn’t.” “.
Her friends paid tribute to her as “full of life and love” and as someone with a “permanent glow”.
Ms Good was the daughter of former Australian Football League player Kerry Good, who played for North Melbourne. The club wore black armbands in his memory during a match on Sunday, and club manager Alastair Clarkson fought back tears as he spoke before the match.
“It’s so sad. Ash and his beautiful little girl… She’s not going to have a mom – it breaks our hearts,” he told Fox Sports.
Faraz Tahir, 30 years old
The only man killed in the attack, security guard Faraz Tahir, died trying to protect others.
He had sought refuge in Australia from Pakistan just a year ago, according to members of his local community. Friends told local media he had only been working at the mall for a week.
In a statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia said he was “an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness”.
Ejaz Khan, a lawyer and president of the Pakistan Australia Association, said the local Pakistani community was “mourning and… very distressed”.
“He was a lovely guy, he was very helpful all the time, he worked very hard and studied very hard to have a better future in Australia,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Australia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, said Mr Tahir had “lost his life while saving others”, adding that his family had requested that his body be repatriated to Pakistan.
Pikria Darchia, 55 years old
Police also named Pikria Darchia among the victims. She described herself as an artist on LinkedIn and is said to be from Tbilisi, Georgia.
Few details about him have been reported so far.
The last identified victim, Cheng Yixuan, was a Chinese student studying at the University of Sydney.
Chinese social media has been on fire since Saturday with people trying to find her, after her family reportedly said she called them from the mall minutes before the attack.
The Australia Today app – a Chinese-language publication – said her fiancé, known only as Mr Wang, said: “She even tried on clothes for me to see.”
“I contacted her day and night, but there was no response. The whole family was so anxious that they didn’t dare to think too much.”
In an email to students, University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott confirmed that a student – who he declined to name – had died, adding that he was “shocked and saddened by this senseless loss of life.”
Wang Chunsheng, China’s acting consul general in Sydney, said he was “very sorry to learn” of Cheng’s death.