John Singleton reveals the heartbreaking final gift from his daughter that he will never be able to use after she was killed in the Westfield Bondi attack

John Singleton reveals the heartbreaking final gift from his daughter that he will never be able to use after she was killed in the Westfield Bondi attack By HARRISON CHRISTIAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 19:51 EDT, 6 April 2025 | Updated: 19:51 EDT, 6 April 2025 e-mail View comments The father of a young woman stabbed to death in the Westfield Bondi attack has revealed she bought him a jacket for her upcoming wedding just days earlier. Dawn Singleton, 25, was one of six shoppers killed in Westfield Bondi Junction last April when knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, went on a stabbing rampage. Almost a year later her father, advertising executive John Singleton, has opened up about the loss, describing Dawn as a 'beautiful little girl'.

'No one could speak ill of Dawnie because she, in many ways, was too soft for this world,' Mr Singleton told 60 Minutes . 'And to see someone so gentle and vulnerable have her life concluded like this, it probably makes it 10 times worse.' Mr Singleton said he was 'doing all right' after the tragedy, but could no longer go to the movies because 'as soon as the lights go out, I cry'.



'I used to drink my way out of it. Now, I don't drink.' He said in the two weeks before Dawn's death he had helped her choose a wedding dress, and she had ordered him a jacket from Australian fashion designer Camilla Franks .

Dawn Singleton (pictured) was one of six shoppers killed in Bondi Junction Westfield last April Ms Singleton (pictured) had spent the days leading up to the attack planning her wedding, including ordering her father a special jacket He was supposed to wear the jacket while he walked Dawn down the aisle - but she was killed before the wedding could take place. 'I don’t think it will ever be worn. I think it’ll be hung up next to the bridal gown.

' Dawn had been engaged to her childhood sweetheart and police officer Ashley Wildey. Mr Wildey had been on-call when Cauchi began his attack and rushed to the scene only to be informed of his fiancée's death. The shattered officer still visits Dawn's grave every day.

At the end of this month, a four-week coronial inquest into the attack is due to begin, but Mr Singleton again appealed for it to be called off. He said the inquiry would simply resurface the tragedy for grieving families of the victims. 'It's just absolutely stupid.

I think it's just a waste of time, if it's going to prove anything at all.' John Singleton (pictured) said he was 'doing all right' after losing his daughter but could no longer go to the movies because 'as soon as the lights go out, I cry' Mr Singleton was worried that CCTV or police body cam footage of the attack might be released during the inquest. 'Why do you have to include the actual killings? You want the knife going in? Do you want the blood?' NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has confirmed that an inquest is mandatory because the deaths occurred during a police operation.

Mr Daley insisted the inquest would be conducted in a way that is 'trauma informed'. The Coroner has indicated to Mr Singleton that there are no plans to play distressing footage in court at this stage. But Mr Singleton said he wanted authorities to 'get rid' of any footage of the attack.

Cauchi had moved to Sydney from Queensland shortly before the rampage. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 17 and his mental health appeared to have deteriorated in recent years. Cauchi had previously come to the attention of police in both NSW and his home state.

He indiscriminately stabbed 16 people in total with a hunting knife on April 13. Camilla Franks Share or comment on this article: John Singleton reveals the heartbreaking final gift from his daughter that he will never be able to use after she was killed in the Westfield Bondi attack e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

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