The Sydney knifeman who killed six people at an Australian shopping centre led a secret life as an escort, offering sexual services to both men and women
Joel Cauchi, 40, was shot dead after carrying out a murderous rampage at Bondi Junction’s Westfield Centre on Saturday.
The 40-year-old previously worked as a teacher before becoming an escort once he started sleeping rough on the streets of Sydney.
Cauchi, originally from Queensland, had previously listed himself on numerous male escort websites, including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia.
Joel Cauchi, 40, was shot dead after carrying out a murderous rampage at Bondi Junction’s Westfield Centre on Saturday
In his online biography, he described himself as an “athletic good-looking 39-year-old” based in Sydney who was looking for a “fun time”. He also offered other “closed-door services”.
He had been reported to the authorities in the past due to periods of erratic behaviour after he was diagnosed as a schizophrenic at age 17.
Officers’ last recorded interaction with Cauchi was during a street check in the Gold Coast in December.
Last year, police were called to his house after he fought with his family. He had been in possession of knives and claimed that his family were abusing him by trying to take them away, the Courier Mail newspaper reported.
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns join other politicians as they lay flowers at the scene of Saturday's mass stabbing at Bondi Junction
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After identifying Cauchi as the man behind the shopping centre rampage, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said he was known to police and was “very clearly” suffering from mental health issues.
Cooke said: “We know that shortly after coming to Sydney, he took possession of a storage facility that has been identified.
“We are continuing to work through the profiling of the offender but very clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved.'
His parents Andrew and Michele described their son’s actions as “truly horrific”.
They said in a statement: “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.
Ashlee Good was one of six people fatally stabbed at Bondi Junction, Sydney, Australia
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“We are in contact with both the NSW 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.”
Pikria Darchia, 55, Jade Young, 47, Ashlee Good, 38, Faraz Tahir, 30, and Dawn Singleton, 25 were all murdered by Cauchi at the Westfield shopping centre at Bondi Junction on Saturday.
The sixth victim has yet to be named.
He also wounded 17 others, including a baby girl whose mother Ashlee Good, was murdered by Cauchi.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister said people were struggling to comphrened such an “unspeakable” attack.
He said: “People going about their Saturday afternoon shopping should be safe, shouldn’t be at risk. But tragically, we saw a loss of life, and people will be grieving for loved ones today.
“We also know there are many people still in hospital dealing with recovery, and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”