The grieving officer whose fiancée was killed in the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing is still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy a week later.
NSW Police Officer Ashley Wildey rushed to the scene last Saturday to help his colleagues, only to be told his wife-to-be was among the victims.
Dawn Singleton, 25, daughter of multimillionaire advertising guru John Singleton, was one of six innocent bystanders stabbed to death by Joel Cauchi, 40,
She would marry her high school sweetheart, Mr. Wildey over the next few months and was in the middle of buying makeup for her upcoming wedding when her life was tragically cut short.
Friends and colleagues from the police rallied around the shattered Mr Wildey and have hardly left his side over the past week.
Police Officer Ashley Wildey is mourning the loss of his fiancée Dawn Singleton
Although it is still early, friends say he is a “tough guy” and hope he will eventually return to the force.
“His police mates have been really good – the boys brought burgers, chips and coke and have stayed with him, talking and making sure he knows he is supported,” said a close family friend The Daily Telegraph.
‘They don’t want to lose him. He is very good at his job.
‘He always wanted to help people. He is young and I know he has already helped solve a number of cases.’
The friend added that Mr Wildey visited Ms Singleton’s mother, Julie, on Wednesday to pay his respects.
In the days leading up to her death, Dawn purchased her wedding dress and began sending “save the date” invitations to her loved ones and friends ahead of the special day.
The venue had just been booked and she had hired wedding planners that Kyle Sandilands used for his wedding.
It was previously reported that Mr Wildey knew his fiancée was in Westfield at the time and frantically tried to call her on the way before colleagues confirmed his worst fears.
Dawn Singleton was shopping for make-up at Chanel for her upcoming wedding when she was stabbed to death at Westfield Bondi Junction
Dawn Singleton and Ashley Wildey were childhood sweethearts who were about to tie the knot
Australian fashion giant White Fox Boutique led the tribute to Ms Singleton, where she worked as the company’s e-commerce assistant.
“Dawn was a sweet, kind-hearted person who had her whole life ahead of her,” the company wrote on Instagram.
‘She was really great. We are all truly devastated by this loss.
“We extend our condolences to her partner, the Singleton family and her friends. She will always be remembered as part of the White Fox family.”
Also killed were new mother Ashlee Good, 38, mother-of-two Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30.
Six of the 12 injured are in hospital in stable conditions, including Ms Good’s nine-month-old daughter, Harriet.
Thousands are expected to attend a candlelight vigil on Bondi Beach on Sunday from 5.30pm.
Tributes pour in as shoppers return to Westfield shopping center in Bondi Junction a week after the stabbing
Tributes continue to flow as shoppers return to Westfield Bondi Junction a week after the tragedy