The parents of Sydney killer Joel Cauchi who fatally stabbed six people as part of a “psychotic” massacre in Australia have issued an apology to his victims and their families.
The 40-year-old was himself shot and killed by an officer after knifing five women and one man, and injuring several others, including a nine-month-old baby at Westfield Shopping Centre in Bondi Junction on Saturday.
Andrew Cauchi, Joel’s father, stepped outside the family home where he issued an apology, saying he was “heartbroken and extremely sorry” earlier today (April 15).
Mr Cauchi, 76, told Sky News cameras: “I’m extremely sorry, I’m heartbroken for you. This is so horrendous that I can’t even explain it. I can’t have an intelligent conversation because I’m just devastated.
“I love my son, I made myself a servant to my son when I found out he had a mental illness, I became his servant, I did everything because I love that boy.”
“To you he is a monster, but to me he is a very sick boy.” His mother, Michelle Cauchi described the situation as a “parents’ nightmare”.
She added: “My heart goes out to the people my son has hurt. If he was in his right mind, he’d have been absolutely devastated.” Joel is said to have suffered from a mental health illness since he was a teenager.
