A psychiatrist who treated the man responsible for a fatal stabbing rampage at a crowded Sydney shopping centre will be referred to health investigators after a coronial inquiry.
Joel Cauchi, first diagnosed with schizophrenia in his teens, was unmedicated and homeless when he stabbed 16 people inside Westfield Bondi Junction in 2024, killing six.
The New South Wales coroner stated that Dr. Andrea Boros-Lavack had provided 'exemplary' care but failed to heed warnings from family about Cauchi's potential relapse before the attack.
This oversight was among multiple failures that led to the tragedy, including shortcomings by police and shopping centre security.
Six individuals—Dawn Singleton, 25; Yixuan Cheng, 27; Jade Young, 47; Ashlee Good, 38; Faraz Tahir, 30; and Pikria Darchia, 55—lost their lives in the April 2024 attack.
In addition to these fatalities, ten others suffered injuries during the attack, which lasted just three minutes before Cauchi was shot dead by a police inspector.
Over a five-week coronial inquest concluded last May, testimonies were gathered from numerous witnesses, including medical professionals and victims' families, to understand the circumstances leading to the attack and avoid future occurrences.
The coroner's extensive report raised the alarm about significant failures in mental health management, especially after Cauchi's mother expressed concerns about his deteriorating mental state.
Despite Boros-Lavack's long-standing and compassionate treatment regimen, criticisms emerged regarding her inability to proactively manage the risks associated with a potential relapse.
Moreover, there were highlighted issues with police response and coordination during the crisis, along with a recommendation to enhance mental health outreach services in the region.
O'Sullivan, the coroner, emphasized the need for immediate system reforms including mental health outreach, better housing provisions for individuals facing mental health challenges, and a public awareness campaign centered on emergency responses.
The coroner criticized certain media coverage that intensified the trauma experienced by the victims' families and plans to recommend improved journalism standards for such critical incidents.
Finally, Dr. Boros-Lavack’s future in practice now hangs in the balance as the inquiry calls for accountability in mental health treatment protocols.
