What will the Bondi Westfield inquest examine?

The inquest will examine shortfalls in the response by security guards, police, and ambulance services during the 2024 Bondi Westfield attack, and the mental health support provided to the attacker.

When is the inquest delivering its findings?

The coroner is set to deliver a swath of findings and recommendations on Thursday, following a five-week inquest into the Bondi Westfield attack.

Home / Crime and Justice / Bondi Westfield: Inquest to Reveal Security, Police Failures

Bondi Westfield: Inquest to Reveal Security, Police Failures

Q: What is known about the attacker's mental health history?

The attacker, Joel Cauchi, was diagnosed with schizophrenia around age 18, had stopped taking antipsychotic medication for four years, and was experiencing psychotic symptoms at the time of the attack.

5 Feb

•

Summary

Six victims died in a 2024 stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield.
An inquest will examine police, security, and ambulance response failures.
The attacker had stopped taking antipsychotic medication prior to the event.

Bondi Westfield: Inquest to Reveal Security, Police Failures

An inquest commencing on Thursday will deliver crucial findings and recommendations following the fatal 2024 stabbing incident at Sydney's Bondi Junction Westfield. Six shoppers and one security guard were killed by Joel Cauchi, a 40-year-old man experiencing psychotic symptoms. The five-week inquest has heard that a delay in triggering an alarm, potentially by as little as 77 seconds, may have cost lives.

Investigators are examining shortfalls in the responses by security guards, police, and ambulance services. The coroner is also looking into whether more could have been done to support Cauchi, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia around age 18 and had stopped taking antipsychotic medication for four years prior to the attack. He was homeless at the time of the incident. Families of the victims have also requested an examination of media coverage surrounding the event. Mental health advocates hope the inquest's recommendations will lead to genuine reform.