Joel Cauchi: Bondi stabber’s parents speak out as country counts cost of their ‘monster’ son’s actions

The devastated parents of the Bondi Junction mass murderer have spoken about their son as the country counts the cost of his monstrous act.

Andrew Cauchi spoke to waiting media camped outside the deeply spiritual couple’s Toowoomba home on Monday morning.

“I’m loving a monster. To you he’s a monster but to me he was my son,” father Andrew Cauchi said.

It was Joel Cauchi’s parents who reached out to police after seeing footage of the attack on TV, reporting that they thought it might be their son.

Joel Cauchi was believed to be leading an itinerant lifestyle before carrying out the attack that left six people dead, all but five of whom were women, and 12 injured.

His murderous rampage only ended when he was shot dead by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott.

Andrew and wife Michele Cauchi issued a statement via Queensland Police on Sunday afternoon, saying they were “absolutely devastated” by the attack.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time,” their statement read.

“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.

“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.”

Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Roger Lowe had revealed earlier on Sunday the family of Joel Cauchi had sent a message to NSW Police expressing concern for the welfare of Inspector Amy Scott, who shot dead their 40-year-old son on Saturday.

Mr Lowe said Cauchi had struggled with mental health issues and was not in regular contact with his family, instead only occasionally texting his mother his current location. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 17.

“I can say when the family viewed footage of the event on TV [that they] believed that may well have been their son and they reached out to authorities,” he said.

A neighbours of the Cauchi’s told the Herald Sun they would have been rocked by what had happened. The woman who was not named described Joel as a “very gentle, family orientated person who was very close to his parents,” she said.

“His parents did talk about Joel’s mental health problems but I don’t think that thought anything like this would happen,” she said.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

— with AAP