A friend of a woman fatally stabbed at Westfield Bondi Junction has broken her silence as she shares a message to the men who saved her baby.
Emma Van Der Waal heard about the death of her old friend, Dr. Ashlee Good, when her colleagues began posting tributes to the beloved osteopath.
The new mother, 38, was one of six people killed by Joel Cauchi, 40, after he committed a stabbing attack at the mall on April 13.
Mrs Van Der Waal explains New idea she “couldn’t believe” her friend of ten years had been embroiled in a massacre that sent shockwaves around the world.
“All Ash ever wanted to do was find her soulmate and start a family,” she said.
She shared a message with the men Dr. Good’s nine-month-old baby Harriet had helped after the mother and daughter were injured.
“I can’t ignore the last bit of what she might be thinking. She would have wanted someone to save her baby. That’s Ash…she was so selfless.’
Dr. Ashlee Good, 38, was one of six people killed by Joel Cauchi, 40, after he went on a stabbing spree in Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13. Her baby was also injured
People can be seen hugging at a vigil on Bondi Beach for the victims on Sunday evening
Dr. Good died shortly after arriving at St. Vincent’s Hospital with her husband Daniel Flanagan, just in time to say his final goodbyes.
He then rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where his daughter underwent surgery. She has now been released from hospital.
Ms Van Der Waal wants people to remember her friend as she was.
“Everyone had a special bond with her,” she said. “She was like a beacon of light and I think that’s why so many people are hurting. Ash will be so missed.”
A GoFundMe has raised nearly $700,000 for Dr. Good.
“Ash was a ray of sunshine and positivity in every aspect of her life and died a hero saving her little girl from the most unspeakable evil,” said organizer Steven Foxwell.
‘These funds are being raised for the benefit of Dan and Harriet to give them the freedom to move into the future without financial burden or worry.
“We know that no amount of money can ever replace her presence in their lives and thank you for your generous donations to date.”
The six victims who died at Bondi Junction (from top left): Yixuan Cheng, Ashlee Good, Pikria Darchia, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton and Faraz Tahir
Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, and Yixuan Cheng, 27, and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, were the other five victims.
Dr. Good and her baby were the first to be attacked by Cauchi and the first to be publicly identified when news of the attack first broke.
Cauchi stabbed twelve more innocent customers during the terrifying rampage before he was shot dead by NSW Inspector Amy Scott.
Hundreds of people gathered at a candlelight vigil for the six victims on Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in attendance.
Mourners observed a minute’s silence to remember the dead at a vigil in Bondi Junction
Mr Albanese said the vigil was to “mourn all the years of joy they should have known and all the memories they should have been able to make”.
“The new life they would have lived here in their new country, the success they would have achieved in whatever career they would have chosen,” he said.
“The happiness they would have created, the care they would have shown. The beautiful children they would have raised with so much love.”
Hero police officer Amy Scott was also in attendance and received hugs from her colleagues as she arrived at the emotionally charged event.
Westfield Bondi Junction resumed trading on Friday, almost a week after the attack.