The boss of a woman stabbed to death in what police say was a random attack by a man just released from a mental health facility wants the blame shifted to stop the tragedy.
Shaun Michaels Dunk, 30, is accused of storming into REAL Estate Agents Group in Plympton, Adelaide, on December 20 and attacking staff with a knife.
Property manager Julie Seed, 38, died at the scene, while team leader Susan Scardigno, 50, suffered serious injuries and is recovering at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Dunk, who has been charged with both murder and attempted murder, was released from a mental health facility that morning.
He had also been discharged from hospital on December 18, despite having warned police a fortnight earlier that he was hallucinating and worried he was going to hurt someone.
Property manager Julie Seed, 38, died on December 20 at REAL Estate Agents Group in Plympton, Adelaide, after Shaun Michaels Dunk, 30, allegedly stormed the office armed with a knife. Ms Seed is pictured with fiancé, Chris Smith
REAL Estate Agents Group director Ally Comley paid tribute to her employees on Facebook on Sunday and called for support for mental health workers.
“We must honor the life of dear Julie and ensure that this tragedy is the turning point for an accelerated overhaul of the SA mental health system that has utterly failed so many,” Ms Comley wrote.
'There is no guilty party here.
“We cannot blame the unfortunate medical staff who were released [Dunk] – these are also real people who I am sure must also be hit hard right now. I sympathize with them.
'They are obliged to follow processes. The blame lies entirely with the shortcomings of the broken system in which they work, and not with them personally.”
Ms. Comley described Ms. Seed and Ms. Scarigno as “sisters” to their colleagues at the agency and “an integral part of our REAL family whom we love dearly.”
“Julie's family is suffering incredibly from the pain of their loss and we sympathize deeply with them,” Ms Comley wrote.
“Sue was seriously injured but pulled through through her inner strength and the hand of God.
Team leader Susan Scardigno, 50, was seriously injured in the alleged Sean Michaels Dunk attack and is recovering at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. A friend of Ms. Scarigno (above) said she suffered her injuries while trying to protect her colleague
'She is an inspiring woman and is already making a remarkable recovery thanks to her tenacity.
“But I'm sure her emotional healing will take a long time. We will support them all in every way we can.”
REAL Estate Agents Group director Ally Comley (above) paid tribute to Ms Seed and Ms Scarigno on Facebook
A friend of Ms Scardigno previously told Daily Mail Australia she suffered her injuries while trying to protect Ms Seed.
Ms Comley thanked those who came to her workers' aid, including paramedics and police officers.
“We are fully indebted to our fellow tenants in the building for their courageous and timely intervention,” she wrote. “Without a doubt, they saved Sue's life.”
Ms Comley said Ms Seed's death and Ms Scardigno's injuries had had a deep impact on the families, friends and clients of their colleagues.
“Such tragedies never remain within a few people,” she wrote. 'They have a ripple effect and in this case the emotional damage for many families is enormous.
“We have been overwhelmed and humbled by messages of support from our customers, landlords, tenants and our neighboring businesses – your kindness and beautiful messages have touched us.”
Dunk spent the night of December 19 in the care of the Urgent Mental Health Care Center on Grenfell Street in Adelaide's central business district before being released two hours before the alleged attack.
Shaun Michaels Dunk, 30, (left) is accused of storming into the REAL Estate Agents Group in Plympton, Adelaide, on December 20 and attacking workers with a knife and hammer
He was arrested under the Mental Health Act on December 5 after turning up at a police station claiming he was experiencing hallucinations of people threatening to kill him, according to The Advertiser.
SA Health has begun an investigation into their processes and the state's chief psychiatrist will review the circumstances surrounding Dunk's treatment and discharge.
Dunk appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on December 21.
He has not applied for bail and will remain in custody until March, when he will appear in court again.
A friend of Ms Seed's fiancée, Chris Smith, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her family cover flights from the UK and other funeral costs.
Ms. Seed has two daughters, ages 12 and 18, and became engaged to Mr. Smith a year ago.