A friend of Pikria Darchia – one of the women killed during the Westfield Bondi Junction attack – has revealed how she spent her final hours.
Nicole Mikhailidi told 7News that she caught up with artist Ms Darchia, 55, for coffee just hours before twisted Joel Cauchi stabbed six people to death inside the packed shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.
‘It’s crazy to think we said goodbye, and it was the last time we would ever see her,’ Ms Mikhailidi said.
‘When I think about what she must have gone through in those moments …. that horrific fear and helplessness. It makes me sick to the stomach, really.’
Pikria Darchia was killed during the Westfield Bondi Junction attack
Mum-of-two Ms Darchia, from Maroubra in Sydney’s east, was one of five women killed by Cauchi during his knife frenzy.
She was originally from Tbilisi in Georgia and had two sons.
Here’s what we know about the other victims.
Ashlee Good, 38
Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother to her baby girl Harriet
Dr Ashlee Good, 38, was a trained osteopath and a first-time mother. She is the daughter of former North Melbourne AFL player and board member Kerry Good.
She died in St Vincents Hospital on Saturday night after being stabbed by Cauchi while trying to protect her nine-month-old baby Harriet from the attacker.
The dying mother threw her baby girl into the arms of two strangers and begged them to help the little girl.
She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition for emergency surgery.
Harriet was on Tuesday night moved from intensive care to a normal children’s ward in a sign she is recovering.
Dawn Singleton, 25
Dawn Singleton was the daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin. She worked in e-commerce for White Fox Boutique
In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiancé Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim (the couple are pictured)
Dawn Singleton was the 25-year-old daughter of multi-millionaire advertising guru John Singleton and lawyer Julie Martin.
Her father, a racing enthusiast, named his prized racehorse filly ‘Dawnie Perfect’ after his daughter.
Ms Singleton had worked in e-commerce for fashion brand White Fox Boutique and had attended Kambala Church of England Girls’ School.
She had only arrived at Westfield Bondi Junction 15 minutes before she was attacked while shopping in Chanel for makeup for her upcoming wedding.
In a cruel twist of fate, her NSW police officer fiancé Ashley Wildey responded to the incident not knowing his childhood sweetheart was a victim.
2GB host Ray Hadley on Monday revealed that he had broken the devastating news that Dawn had been killed to Mr Singleton.
Hadley, who has been friends with the Singleton family for 30 years, said he had confirmed her name with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.
He revealed Ms Singleton had put a deposit down for her wedding dress on Friday. She had also started sending save the dates to her friends and family.
Jade Young, 47
Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong
Jade Young was a 47-year-old Sydney architect and mother-of-two who grew up in Wollongong on NSW’s Illawarra region.
She was a member of Bronte Surf Club in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, which cancelled their social drinks on Sunday following the attack.
‘This is and will be a difficult time for the community,’ the club said on Facebook.
‘We are here to support the community, and our heartfelt condolences go out to everyone affected.’
Yixuan Cheng, 27
Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney and was named on Monday as the sixth victim of the stabbing spree
Yixuan Cheng, 27, was an economics student at the University of Sydney.
Ms Cheng’s parents told Chinese media their daughter was on the phone with her fiance, who is based in China, a few minutes before the tragedy.
She was on the fourth floor of the mall, shopping and sending her boyfriend photos of herself trying on clothes.
After ending the call to his girlfriend, her boyfriend saw the news about the stabbing attack in Sydney.
He immediately called her again, but Ms Cheng didn’t answer. He had been planning to marry her after she graduated this year.
Wang Chunsheng, China’s acting consul general in Sydney, said he was ‘very sorry’ to hear about the incident and that the consulate was in contact with her family.
Faraz Tahir, 30
Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction as he reportedly tried to stop Cauchi mid-rampage
Faraz Tahir was fatally stabbed on his first day as a security guard at Westfield Bondi Junction as he reportedly tried to stop Cauchi mid-rampage.
Mr Tahir arrived in Australia as a refugee after fleeing his home country of Pakistan.
He was a beloved member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia and participated in charity efforts for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth organisation.
‘He quickly became an integral part of our community, known for his unwavering dedication and kindness,’ the group said in a statement.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Faraz’s family and loved ones during this difficult time and with victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence.’
Scentre Group CEO Elliott Rusanow said: ‘We are devastated by Faraz’s passing and recognise our team member’s bravery and role as a first responder.
‘Another member of our security team was injured and remains in hospital.’
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