Families of six victims killed in a stabbing attack at a Bondi Junction shopping center in Sydney want a quick inquest into their deaths but do not share a unified stance on the issue, a Sydney court has been informed. Forty-year-old Joel Cauchi was responsible for the murders of Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Yixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Dawn Singleton, and Faraz Tahrir, as well as injuring an additional 10 individuals at Westfield Bondi Junction before being shot and killed by police inspector Amy Scott.
The five-week inquest will look into Cauchi’s background, mental health conditions and treatment in Queensland, previous interactions with the police, and the response of police and emergency services, along with security measures and staff training at Westfield. The purpose of the inquest, it was mentioned, is not to assign blame but to learn from the incident to prevent future occurrences. Feedback from grieving families has also led to a focus on the role of the media, especially concerning graphic footage of the incident, which was considered particularly distressing to loved ones.
Counsel assisting Dr. Peggy Dwyer SC acknowledged that families affected by the incident may not consistently hold the same views during the inquiries. Following this hearing, several family members expressed their concerns about the inquest’s usefulness, with some arguing against it as a potential invasion of privacy or questioning the necessity for further investigation after Cauchi’s death.
The court also noted that no CCTV footage of the incident would be shown during the inquest, affirming a commitment to a trauma-informed approach to the proceedings. Dwyer emphasized that while substantial footage is in the public domain, she urged the media to handle this content sensitively.
The inquest’s brief of evidence includes 47 volumes, excluding expert testimony, with evidence provided by various medical professionals and security experts, including Scott Wilson and Dr. Philip Cowburn. The court was reminded of the ongoing emotional impact of the incident on witnesses and first responders, with an ongoing emphasis on sensitivity and care during the inquiry.
State coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan addressed the bereaved families, acknowledging their pain and stating that the inquest team is especially mindful of their distress as the anniversary of the tragic event approaches. Oral evidence for the inquest is scheduled to conclude on May 30th, with further submissions due by September 25th.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/07/bondi-junction-stabbing-attack-court-hearing-inquest-victims-families-ntwnfb
