The father of Dawn Singleton, one of the victims of the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction attack last April, has shared a deeply emotional story about a special gift his daughter gave him just days before her tragic death. In a touching interview, John Singleton, a prominent Australian advertising executive, opened up about the pain of losing his “beautiful little girl” and the wedding plans that were left unfulfilled.
A Daughter’s Thoughtful Gift
Speaking to 60 Minutes, Mr Singleton revealed that in the weeks before the attack, Dawn had been immersed in preparations for her upcoming wedding to her childhood sweetheart, police officer Ashley Wildey. Among the many thoughtful details was a jacket she had ordered for her father to wear as he walked her down the aisle.
The jacket, designed by iconic Australian designer Camilla Franks, symbolised a moment they were both looking forward to – a joyful family celebration. However, Dawn would never see that day. The 25-year-old was one of six shoppers fatally stabbed in a rampage carried out by Joel Cauchi, 40, who had a long history of mental health issues.
“I don’t think it will ever be worn,” Mr Singleton said. “I think it’ll be hung up next to the bridal gown.”
From Wedding Planning to Tragedy
Dawn had spent her final days full of excitement and love, carefully selecting her wedding dress and planning details for the big day. Her fiancé, Mr Wildey, was on-call as a police officer on the day of the attack and rushed to the scene only to be confronted with devastating news: his fiancée was among the dead.
Still shattered by the loss, Mr Wildey continues to visit Dawn’s grave daily.
“No one could speak ill of Dawnie because she, in many ways, was too soft for this world,” said her father. “To see someone so gentle and vulnerable have her life concluded like this, it probably makes it ten times worse.”
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A Father’s Lingering Grief
Despite his public image as a strong and influential businessman, Mr Singleton candidly described how the grief has reshaped his life.
“I used to drink my way out of it. Now, I don’t drink,” he shared. He added that he can no longer attend the cinema, explaining, “As soon as the lights go out, I cry.”
Mr Singleton’s heartbreak is further compounded by the upcoming coronial inquest into the attack, scheduled to begin later this month. While the inquiry is mandatory under New South Wales law because the deaths occurred during a police operation, Singleton has publicly opposed it, calling for the proceedings to be cancelled.
“A Waste of Time”
He voiced his concerns that the inquest would do more harm than good by reopening wounds for families who are still struggling to process their losses.
“It’s just absolutely stupid,” he said. “I think it’s a waste of time if it’s going to prove anything at all.”
Mr Singleton is particularly worried that graphic CCTV or bodycam footage from the day of the attack may be played during the inquiry. “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 confirmed the inquest must proceed but promised it would be handled in a “trauma-informed” way. The Coroner also assured Mr Singleton there were currently no plans to display distressing footage in court.
Still, the father urged authorities to permanently dispose of the video recordings. “Get rid of it,” he insisted.
The Attacker’s Troubled Past
Joel Cauchi, the man responsible for the massacre, had recently moved to Sydney from Queensland. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17, Cauchi had previously attracted the attention of police in both states. His mental health appeared to have deteriorated in the months leading up to the attack.
On April 13, he carried out the stabbing spree at Bondi Junction with a hunting knife, killing six people and injuring 10 more before being fatally shot by police.
Remembering Dawn
As the anniversary of Dawn’s death approaches, her family continues to grieve not only the loss of her life but also the life she was building. The unwrapped jacket and unworn bridal gown serve as painful reminders of what could have been – a wedding never realised, a future never lived.
John Singleton’s heartfelt interview paints a vivid picture of a father navigating unimaginable loss, and of a daughter remembered for her kindness, softness, and love. Amid calls to cancel the inquest, his words echo the sentiment of many who wish to honour the victims by remembering their lives, not replaying their deaths.
