Partner Dan Flanagan Speaks Out on the Tragic Murder of Ashlee Good, Who Was Killed Defending Her Baby During the Bondi Junction Stabbing Rampage
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
4 minutes read. Updated 4:40AM GMT Tues, 13August, 2024
The family of Ashlee Good, a mother who tragically died while saving her baby from a violent stabbing attack at a bustling shopping centre in Bondi Junction, Sydney, has spoken publicly for the first time. Her partner, Dan Flanagan, expressed the deep, enduring pain of their loss and the profound impact of the overwhelming support they have received.
On April 13, 2024, Ashlee Good, 38, was among the six victims killed in a stabbing spree carried out by Joel Cauchi at the Westfield Bondi Junction. The attack, which left a total of 17 people injured, has shocked both the local community and the international audience. Good’s nine-month-old daughter, Harriet, was also injured but survived after undergoing surgery for her chest and arm injuries.
In a heartfelt statement shared via a GoFundMe page that has raised nearly A$850,000 (approximately £439,000 or $560,000), Dan Flanagan expressed his gratitude for the “overwhelming support, kindness, and generosity” his family has received. He described the tragic day as one that “will never make sense” and reflected on the profound sense of loss experienced by their family, now reduced from three to two. Flanagan acknowledged the comfort provided by the many messages of support and the recognition of Ashlee’s impact on those around her.
The attack, described by Australian authorities as “mental health” related, has raised questions about how such violence could occur. Cauchi, who targeted women during his rampage, was ultimately subdued by a lone police officer who shot him after he had already inflicted significant harm. The New South Wales Police have established a special strike force to investigate the incident, with a detailed report expected to take months to complete.
The tragedy has prompted calls for an immediate enhancement of mental health services to prevent similar incidents in the future. The family of Jade Young, one of the other victims, has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for better mental health support systems to address and mitigate the risk of such violence.
In his message, Flanagan extended his condolences to the other affected families, friends, and communities, acknowledging the shared trauma and the ongoing need for support in navigating such difficult times.
