Sydney knifeman, 40, identified as having mental health issues since teens

A Sydney attacker, who was involved in a fatal knife spree, had previously promoted himself as a male escort and attempted to join firearm enthusiast groups.

Joel Cauchi, 40, of Queensland, was known to the police, particularly in recent five years, although had never been arrested or charged prior to the attack which unfolded on Saturday afternoon. Cauchi was fatally shot by an officer during his knife-wielding frenzy at the Westfield shopping complex located in Bondi Junction, Sydney's east.

As a result of Cauchi's actions, four women and a male shopping centre security guard in his 30s were killed. Police said they do not believe the attack was motivated by terrorism.

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In a post shared on a Facebook group back in December 2020, Cauchi wrote: "I am looking for groups of people who shoot guns, including handguns, to meet up with, chat with and get to know."

Numerous reports confirmed that Cauchi had created profiles across a number of male escort platforms, including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia. On one of these profiles he self-describes as an "athletic good-looking 39-year-old" based in Sydney seeking for a "fun time".

An image posted on one such escort site displays him seated on a chair donning a Manchester United football jersey. An owner of a Queensland-based knife-sharpening enterpise has informed Guardian Australia that approximately three years ago, Cauchi had requested the sharpening of two "everyday knives".

The business proprietor found the solicitation "weird", citing "he wasn't a chef or a butcher". Adding to this, they said: "He goes, 'oh no, I just do a bit of dabbling in the backyard with the knives and I use them every day'."

On his Facebook page, Cauchi also indicated his occupation as an English tutor. Notably, days preceding the attack at the Westfield shopping centre located at Bondi Junction, Sydney's east, he posted on a Facebook surf group: "I am surfing Bondi this afternoon if anyone wants to meet there for a surf! ".

As revealed by his social media profile, Cauchi spent his formative years in Toowoomba, situated in south Queensland.

In a public statement issued via Queensland Police, the Cauchi family expressed their distress: "We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time."

"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."

Moreover, they added: "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 alright."

At a press conference, Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe declared that Cauchi was diagnosed with a mental illness at 17. "From our investigations it would suggest that in the last number of years his mental health has declined," he said.

He further described Cauchi, who he referred to as "itinerant", as not having been "prosecuted or arrested or charged for any offence within Queensland".

Mr Lowe mentioned that the last encounter Cauchi had with Queensland Police was during a "street check" in December 2023 on the Gold Coast. He added that it is believed Cauchi later relocated to New South Wales and was living either on the streets or in a vehicle.

He stated that his family did "not have regular contact" with him, adding that Cauchi would "periodically text his mother with an update where he was".