A coronial inquest will examine the decision made by a psychiatrist to discontinue medication for Joel Cauchi, who was responsible for a deadly stabbing incident in Sydney’s Westfield Bondi Junction in April 2024, where he killed six individuals and injured ten. The psychiatrist, who previously treated Cauchi, is expected to testify about the rationale behind stopping his anti-psychotics, especially after concerns were raised by Cauchi’s mother regarding his deteriorating mental health.
Cauchi had been diagnosed with schizophrenia during his teenage years and had shown improvement for many years. However, he stopped taking his medication in mid-2019. The inquest has revealed that signs of his potential relapse were noted by staff at a Toowoomba psychiatric clinic. Testimonies from two nurses indicate that although Cauchi did not show severe symptoms during his consultations, his mother expressed worries about him experiencing auditory hallucinations and severe obsessive-compulsive behaviours.
Despite the concerns raised by his mother, it was the psychiatrist who ultimately prescribed medications and developed his treatment plan. In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began, Cauchi moved to Brisbane. Attempts were made to set up remote consultations, but these services were not covered by Medicare. Additionally, while a referral letter was sent to his general practitioner, no follow-up occurred with mental health services in his new location.
Cauchi’s violent rampage ended when he was shot by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott. The inquest, which continues, seeks to understand the circumstances leading to this tragedy, particularly focusing on mental health care prior to the incident.