A psychiatrist who treated the man behind a fatal stabbing rampage at a crowded Sydney shopping centre will be referred to health investigators after a coronial inquiry.
Joel Cauchi, diagnosed with schizophrenia during his teenage years, was unmedicated and homeless when he stabbed 16 people inside Westfield Bondi Junction in 2024, resulting in the deaths of six individuals.
The New South Wales coroner pointed out that Andrea Boros-Lavack had given exemplary care to Cauchi over a long period, but failed to act on warnings from his family about a potential relapse, which ultimately contributed to the tragic events.
Cauchi's attack, which occurred in April 2024, claimed the lives of six people: Dawn Singleton, 25; Yixuan Cheng, 27; Jade Young, 47; Ashlee Good, 38; Faraz Tahir, 30; and Pikria Darchia, 55. Additionally, ten others, including an infant, were injured.
The inquiry revealed that the necessary medical and law enforcement actions were not taken in a timely manner, despite multiple warnings about Cauchi's mental health. The coroner described the police and security response during the attack as rapid, but identified gaps in efficiency that could be improved.
Following the inquiry's findings, recommendations were made for better mental health outreach services and housing solutions for individuals with mental health challenges.
