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Bondi Junction stabbings inquest: what we have learned so far

May 21, 2025
Daisy Dumas, a reporter for The Guardian, provides a gripping account of the Bondi Junction stabbings inquest, where six lives were tragically lost. She discusses the harrowing aftermath of the April 13th attack and the emotional turmoil faced by families seeking justice. Dumas highlights critical gaps in mental health monitoring that contributed to Joel Couchy's violent outburst and examines missed opportunities for intervention. The conversation also delves into security failures during the incident, providing a stark look at the complexities of mental health and societal perceptions.
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ANECDOTE

Calm Cop Ends Rampage

  • Inspector Amy Scott was calm and composed amid the chaos of the stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction.
  • She pursued the attacker, Joel Couchy, and incapacitated him with three gunshots, risking her life without backup or vest.
INSIGHT

Missed Mental Health Interventions

  • Joel Couchy had schizophrenia and was medicated for 18 years before stopping medication in 2019 due to side effects.
  • His relapse signs were dismissed by his psychiatrist as false alarms, showing gaps in mental health care.
ANECDOTE

Earlier Police Contact with Couchy

  • Police visited Couchy's family home over a year before the attack due to concerns he was hearing voices and acting erratically.
  • His mother told officers, "When he's on medication, he's a totally different person" and feared drastic actions might be needed for treatment.
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