A Sydney doctor who treated the mass murderer behind a fatal stabbing rampage at a crowded shopping centre will be referred to health investigators after a coroner's inquiry. The psychiatrist, Dr. Andrea Boros-Lavack, had provided long-term care to Joel Cauchi, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his teens and was unmedicated and homeless when he stabbed 16 people inside Westfield Bondi Junction in 2024, killing six. Despite providing 'exemplary' care, the New South Wales coroner found that Dr. Boros-Lavack failed to heed warnings from Cauchi's family about a potential relapse years before the attack. This oversight, along with other factors, contributed to the tragedy. Six people lost their lives during the attack, and ten others were injured before Cauchi was shot dead by police. The coroner's inquest, which heard from dozens of witnesses, revealed a series of missed opportunities for intervention, including a security guard's incompetence and a police officer's failure to act on a concerning email due to staff shortages. The inquest also highlighted the need for improved mental health services and short-term housing for those with mental health issues. The coroner praised the police and emergency services' response but noted room for improvement in agency interoperability. Additionally, the inquest sparked discussions about media coverage, with the coroner criticizing some reports for exacerbating trauma and promising recommendations to the Australian Press Council. The coroner's findings also led to calls for bravery awards for several individuals who attempted to stop Cauchi during the attack.
