Bondi stabbing: Victim’s father John Singleton pleads for coronial inquiry into massacre to be called off
The heartbroken father of a Bondi stabbing victim has pleaded for a planned coronial inquest into the massacre to be called off.
Millionaire advertising executive John Singleton says the family was already dealing with “unimaginable pain and grief” and can’t stand to relieve the tragedy all over again.
Mr Singleton’s daughter Dawn was one of six victims murdered by knifeman Joel Cauchi, who, it was later revealed, had a long history of serious mental health issues.
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The random slaughter at the Bondi Junction Westfield Shopping Centre on a busy Saturday morning in April, 2024 only ended when he was shot dead by hero police inspector Amy Scott.
Dawn Singleton, 25, Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Yixuan Cheng, 27 and 30-year-old security guard Faraz Tahir were all killed in the attack.
At least 10 people were taken to hospital with stab wounds, including a nine-month-old baby who was released following treatment.
Led by NSW State Coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan, the inquest is expected to examine the events surrounding the mass stabbing on April 13 at Bondi Junction Westfield Shopping Centre.
For each victim she will investigate: who died, when and where they died, the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the death.
The hearings will be open to the public, with select portions live-streamed including Counsel Assisting’s opening address, and the State Coroner’s findings.
A directions hearing for the inquest is set for April 7, with the inquest to begin on April 28.
“If it was going to bring some justice I would understand but it can’t, it’s just so unfair,” Mr Singleton told the Sunday Telegraph.
“No good can come of making the details of this public all over again, the CCTV footage images, we all know what happened and who did it and he’s gone, there’s nothing to gain.”
“Coronial inquests are for all the unsolved murders, focus on them, not this one; It helps no one (and) feeds a room full of lawyers,”
“We can’t go through this all over again. And for what? Dawnie is gone and we can’t get her back.”
Mr Singleton also revealed Dawn’s fiance, NSW Police officer Ashley Wildey, visits her grave every day. The pair had been set to marry last year.
