Cop's horror discovery after racing to Sydney stabbing to find fiancée dead


A policeman had a horror discovery when he raced to the scene of a killing spree - and found his fiancée was among the six victims murdered in a frenzied knife rampage.

Dawn Singleton, 25, was killed by Joel Cauchi during Saturday afternoon's carnage, and officer Ashley Wildey found his loved one murdered.

His school sweetheart was fatally attacked at the Westfield shopping centre in the Bondi area of Sydney, Australia, despite there being a police presence within the complex.

A source said: "Ashley had arrived at Westfield when officers realised his fiancée was one of the victims." Dawn, the daughter of millionaire advertising tycoon, has been described as "really amazing."

The Mirror reports her employer, fashion house White Fox Boutique, said: "She was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her. She was really amazing. We are all truly devastated by this loss.

"We send our condolences to her partner, the Singleton family and her friends." Dawn had already bought her wedding dress and had been sending out wedding invitations with Ashley, it is understood.

She was one of three daughters and eight children of well-known Aussie entrepreneur John Singleton, 82. His family are being comforted by friends, it is believed.

Ashley had just finished his shift when he was dispatched with colleagues to the Westfield mall in Sydney’s Bondi Junction at 3.30pm local time. Cauchi, 40, had gone on the rampage with a 12-inch blade, slaughtering five women and a male security guard.

He started his rampage by attacking a three-month-old baby girl, and then continued lashing out until he was shot dead by hero police inspector Amy Scott as he charged at her.

The baby's mother, osteopath Dr Ashlee Good, threw her daughter, Harriet, to passers-by to save her and was then stabbed herself. The medic died in hospital hours later. Harriet is said to be recovering in hospital.

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Dr Good’s family said in a statement: “Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human, and so much more.

“We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.

“We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday, our baby is doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.

"To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not — words cannot express our gratitude.” The five others killed by Cauchi were declared dead at the scene.

They included 55-year-old artist Pikria Darchia, originally from Tbilisi in Georgia, and 47-year-old Sydney architect Jade Young. Pakistan-born security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, had emigrated to Australia a year ago and was on his first shift at Westfield.

People lay floral tributes outside Westfield Bondi Junction.
Joel Cauchi went on the rampage with a 12-inch blade.

Police have identified the sixth victim as 27-year-old Yixuan Cheng. The Chinese national was said to have travelled to Australia to study economics at the University of Sydney.

Eight injured women and two men were taken to hospital. Some are said to be in a serious condition. Security guard Faraz Tahir has been labelled "courageous" after being fatally stabbed at work in the shopping centre during the attack.

He was reported by Australian media to be in his 30s. A statement from Australian Pakistani National Association said: "Let us stand together in solidarity, offering support and prayers to those grieving and affected by this heartbreaking loss."

Mum Ashlee Good, 38, has been tragically identified as the mother killed in the attack who had been trying to save her nine-month-old baby at the time. Her baby was also injured and has since undergone surgery.

A statement from her family said: "Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all round outstanding human and so much more.

"We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl.

"We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.”

Architect and mother-of-two Jade Young has also been named as one of the victims of the knife attack. She moved to Sydney to study at the University of NSW, and had previously studied in Britain at London's Architectural Association School.

Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club, where she was a member, said in a tribute: "It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of member Jade Young.

"On behalf of Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club, we extend our deepest condolences to the Mclaughlin family. 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 over time."

Originally from the Georgian capital of Tsbilisi, 55-year-old Pikria Darchia was on Sunday identified as the fifth victim of the attack by police. She described herself as an artist on her LinkedIn page.

Yixuan Cheng, 25, was confirmed as the sixth fatal victim of the attack. Wang Chunsheng, China’s acting consul general in Sydney, said he was “very sorry to hear about” Cheng’s death.

Yixuan was studying for a master's degree in economics at the University of Sydney, according to Sky News Australia. The consulate would be in contact with her relatives in China to make arrangements, Wang said.

In similar cases in the past, Chinese relatives have been flown to Australia. A further eight people, including Ms Good's nine-month-old baby, were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the attacks.

The infant underwent emergency surgery and is currently "doing well", the family has confirmed. Now chilling Facebook posts made by Cauchi have resurfaced as NSW Police investigate his background to probe possible motives for the evil killing spree.

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