Joel Cauchi
Share and Follow

A woman has revealed the unnerving encounter she had with Joel Cauchi two weeks before he killed six and injured a dozen more at Bondi Junction Westfield.

The 40-year-old was shot dead by police after he carried out the deadly attack at the eastern Sydney shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.

Authorities have since confirmed Cauchi was known to police due to his history with mental health issues while his parents said he was off his medication for schizophrenia.

Joel Cauchi
Joel Cauchi, 40, is identified as the man who carried out a deadly stabbing spree at Westfield in Bondi. (Supplied)

He moved from his family home in Toowoomba to Brisbane before he recently relocated to Sydney, where he was renting a Kennards storage unit in Waterloo.

A woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, has claimed she was in her nearby storage unit when she was followed and confronted by Cauchi less than two weeks ago.

“I had a box cutter because I was cutting my boxes. I thought I should probably just reach for it,” she told 9news.

“I turned around and there was a man inside my storage unit coming towards me, he was halfway in, coming at me quite fast.

“I just put my hands up yelled at him.”

The woman claimed she had a terrifying encounter with Joel Cauchi at the Kennards storage unit in Waterloo.
The woman claimed she had a terrifying encounter with Joel Cauchi at the Kennards storage unit in Waterloo. (Nine)
The woman, who didn't want to be identified, spoke to 9News reporter Sophie Upcroft.
The woman, who didn’t want to be identified, spoke to 9News reporter Sophie Upcroft. (Nine)

Fast forward almost two weeks and the woman recognised him from images circulating media from the mass stabbing in Bondi. 

Information released about the location of his storage unit further confirmed it had been the same man.

“That left me rattled and grateful that I’m okay,” she said. 

The woman reported the incident to police but no official complaint was taken because she had not been injured. 

Police are instead investigating the mass stabbing over the weekend and confirmed an “obvious line of inquiry” was whether he targeted women.

Five of the six killed were women while about eight of the dozen injured were female. 

“He came in contact with New South Wales Health at the back end of last year for a physical ailment for his ear,” Health Minister Ryan Park said.

Poignant tribute left for victim as flowers grow at Bondi site

If you’re struggling, know that help is available 24/7.

Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.

Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.

Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.

1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.

MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Share and Follow
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like
Darren Reitz and huge catfish

A British waste collector catches massive fish weighing 64.4kg

A garbageman has landed what is believed the biggest freshwater fish ever…
Teenage boy, 13, killed in London sword attack

Tragic Loss: 13-Year-Old Boy Fatally Injured in London Sword Attack

A man wielding a sword attacked members of the public and police…

Disturbing truth uncovered about superannuation accounts in latest report

Two-thirds of Australians don’t feel that their superannuation is in a good…

State secures $1000 in energy bill savings, making a significant reduction in cost of living

Queensland households will get a $1000 rebate on their power bills this…
Almost 100 southwestern snake-necked turtles have been discovered deceased at Bibra Lake in a devastating blow to the species' local population.

Urgent pleas for action as nearly 100 turtles discovered deceased in Perth

Almost 100 southwestern snake-necked turtles have been discovered deceased at Bibra Lake…

Bonza Airlines Enters Voluntary Administration Following Sudden Flight Cancellations

Budget airline Bonza has entered voluntary administration after it left hundreds of…

Bruce Lehrmann Receives Extended Time to Evaluate Defamation Ruling Appeal

Bruce Lehrmann will likely have to pay at least some of Network…
Lotto

Last-minute ticket purchase in NSW makes mum a millionaire

The woman from Berrigan in the state’s Riverina Region said she’d forgotten…