Joel Cauchi’s ‘very religious’ parents emerge from the Bondi Junction killer’s childhood home after breaking their silence on the massacre – as neighbours speak about the knifeman and his last visit to the property

The “very religious” parents of the killer responsible for the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping center massacre emerged from their Queensland home on Sunday evening after breaking their silence over the horrific stabbing.

Andrew and Michele Cauchi, both in their 70s, declined to speak to the media after previously describing their son Joel Cauchi’s murderous rampage as “truly horrific.”

A neighbor who has lived on the street for more than 30 years visited Mrs. Cauchi for about an hour, while a man believed to be a relative was also at the house to help Mr. Cauchi with his pigeon coops.

The Cauchis have lived in the Toowoomba suburb of Rockville for 46 years last saw their son a few months ago when the 40-year-old came over for Christmas, but neighbors said he didn’t show his face outside during the visit.

A neighbour, Carol, told Daily Mail Australia that Andrew had said Joel would return home this week to help him reduce the number of pigeons he keeps in aviaries at the back of the property after he received noise and odor complaints had received.

But as he went about his routine of feeding the pigeons in the dark around 7pm with a headlamp in hand, Carol said she could not see how Mr Cauchi could carry out the task of removing hundreds of pigeons now that his son was dead .

Joel Cauchi was shot dead by hero NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott on Saturday afternoon after he stormed the busy shopping center in Sydney’s east with a 30cm hunting knife and stabbed random shoppers.

Six people were killed in the disaster and at least twelve others were rushed to hospital, including a nine-month-old baby.

His parents learned of the horror when they recognized their son from images on TV and made a panicked call to the police, but by then it was too late.

Cauchi was schizophrenic and police are treating the horrific attack as mental health related.

The Cauchis said in their statement they have “no issues” with her actions or those of NSW Police.

“We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday,” they said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those currently receiving treatment.

“Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to understand what happened.

‘He has been struggling with psychological problems since he was a teenager.

‘We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police and Queensland Police 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 doing well. ‘

Carol and another neighbor said Andrew Cauchi is “very religious” and has worshiped at a number of Toowoomba churches since leaving the Catholic faith after expressing his disgust at priests sexually abusing children.

‘He loves those birds. He often takes off his shirt, lies on his back and looks at the sky while waving a stick, which makes the pigeons move and fly around,” said a neighbor.

Mr Cauchi often referred to son Joel as “a backpacker traveling to Melbourne”.

Carol said: “He told me his son was a good boy who got a bus pass so he could travel around.

‘At one point the son came home with a few other backpackers to help weed the garden. Andrew just loves gardening.”

It is unclear whether Mr and Mrs Cauchi were aware of their son’s double life as a male escort.

Cauchi offered his sexual services online in mid-2023, describing himself as ‘athletic’ [and] good looking’.

He offered “closed door” services to both men and women, among other options that were too explicit to publicize.

On Sunday, Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Roger Lowe said police had been informed of Cauchi’s dire living conditions by his family.

In recent weeks, the 40-year-old has been sleeping in a car or in a backpackers hostel.

Although he was not in regular contact with his parents, he did text his mother with an update on where he was,” Deputy Commissioner Lowe said.

On Sunday evening, the neighbor who visited Ms Cauchi said “a little sympathy” to the media as she left.

Five of the victims killed in the horrific stabbing have been identified so far.

They include bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25, architect Jade Young, 47, security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, and artist Pikria Darchia, 55.

Mum-of-one Ashlee Good, 38, died in hospital from her injuries after trying to save her nine-month-old child, who had also been stabbed.

The little girl is currently in intensive care. Two other stabbing victims are fighting for life in critical condition, while a dozen were injured by Cauchi’s rampage.

Another female victim, believed to be from abroad, has not yet been identified.