Sydney knife killer's secret life as escort: Joe Cauchi offered services on sex work sites before shopping centre massacre that left six dead and nine-month-old fighting for life - as his family release statement branding his attack 'truly horrific'

The knifeman who carried out the Sydney shopping centre massacre had a secret life as an escort offering sexual services online to men and women, it has been revealed - as his family condemned the attack as 'truly horrific'.

New details have emerged about Joe Cauchi, who murdered six people and left a nine-month-old baby fighting for her life following Saturday's stabbing rampage.

The shoppers were killed during the attack at Bondi Junction's Westfield centre in Sydney before Cauchi was gunned down by a hero female police officer.

The knifeman, 40, had previously listed himself on several male escort websites, including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia.

In his online biography, Cauchi described himself as an 'athletic good-looking 39-year-old' based in Sydney who was looking for a 'fun time' - and offered dozens of 'closed door services' which are too graphic to publish.

Bondi Junction Westfield killer Joel Cauchi had profiles on various escort websites, where he offered services for both men and women

Pictured: Cauchi's listing on one of the escort websites with which he registered

Pictured: Joel Cauchi in the shopping centre with a knife as he carried out Saturday's attacks

People have been paying their respects at the scene of Saturday's stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia, leaving floral tributes to the victims

After identifying Cauchi as the man behind Saturday's stabbing rampage, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said he was known to police and was 'very clearly' suffering from mental health issues. 

Mr Cooke said: 'We know that shortly after coming to Sydney, he took possession of a storage facility that has been identified.

'We are continuing to work through the profiling of the offender but very clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved.'

His family has now issued a statement via Queensland Police, saying he had suffered mental health issues 'since he was a teenager'.

The family said: 'We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.

'Joel's actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened. He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.

'We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others, and we hope she is coping alright.'

According to his social media profiles, Cauchi grew up in Toowoomba and claimed he worked as an English tutor.

He was a surfing enthusiast and just last week posted in a Sydney Facebook group asking if anyone would like to meet him for a surf in Bondi.

In an profile for seeking shared accommodation, Cauchi said he was looking for a place to live in Sydney's western's suburbs in 'Liverpool, Blacktown, Pendle Hill or Parramatta'.

The knifeman behind the horrific stabbing rampage in Sydney which left six people dead has been identified as 40-year-old Joel Cauchi

New South Wales police inspector Amy Scott has been praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying attack by shooting Cauchi dead

Police said Cauchi recently moved to Sydney from Queensland and had mental health issues

He wrote: 'I love meeting new people and seeing new interesting places!' 

The new information emerged as police also provided an update on the condition of a nine-month-old baby girl who was seriously injured in the attack. 

The infant was rushed to hospital in a critical condition last night for emergency surgery.

A police spokesperson said: 'We understand baby Harriet is stabilising this morning.

'We understand that she underwent surgery and she remains in a serious but stable condition.' 

Harriet's mother, Ash Good, 38, was among those killed during Cauchi's rampage.  

Another victim was last night identified as the 25-year-old daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton - Dawn Singleton, known to friends as Dawnie.

A local artist has been identified as the fifth victim of the stabbing horror - Pikria Darchia, 55, who is understood to originally hail from Tbilisi in Georgia.

The male victim was a security guard at the shopping centre and was later identified as 30-year-old Faraz Tahir from Pakistan.

According to a written statement from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Australia, Mr Faraz had been in Australia for a less than a year and was a 'cherished member of our community'.

The organisation added: 'Let us stand together in solidarity, offering support and prayers to those grieving and affected by this heartbreaking loss.' 

New South Wales police inspector Amy Scott has been praised for her bravery after she stopped the terrifying attack by shooting Cauchi dead.

As the first officer on scene, Insp Scott sprinted through the top level of the shopping complex and risked her life when she confronted the knifeman who had also injured eight others. 

She shot the attacker, who was wearing a green rugby top, when he turned towards her and raised his knife.

The senior police officer then performed CPR on the killer and other victims lying on the ground as she waited for back-up to arrive.

John Singleton's daughter Dawnie, 25, has been named among six people murdered by knife-wielding attacker Joel Cauchi at Bondi Junction Westfield on Saturday

Pikria Darchia (pictured), 55, who describes herself as an artist on LinkedIn and is understood to originally hail from Tbilisi in Georgia, was the fifth victim to be identified

Amy Scott confronted the knifeman on the top level of the shopping centre and shot him dead

Insp Amy Scott  (second from the left) was recognised for her courage while stationed as a sergeant in 2019

The attacker was in the mall at 3pm but left and returned at 3.20pm with a knife. He attacked the mother and child at 3.30pm before police arrived at 3.45pm and the mall was placed under lockdown at 4pm

The family of Joel Cauchi (pictured) have condemned his actions as 'horrific'

They said he suffered from mental health issues 'since he was a teenager' while also sending out 'thoughts and prayers' to relatives and friends of those he killed

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Prince and Princess of Wales have led the praise for Insp Scott's actions. 

Mr Albanese said the officer was 'certainly a hero' whose actions had saved many more lives.

He said: 'The wonderful inspector who ran into danger by herself and removed the threat that was there to others, without thinking about the risks to herself.

'We also see the footage of ordinary Australians putting themselves in harm's way in order to help their fellow citizens. That bravery was quite extraordinary that we saw yesterday.'

And Rishi Sunak has said his 'heart goes out' to those affected by the 'truly devastating' attack in Sydney.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he said: 'The horrific attacks at Bondi Junction are truly devastating.

'My heart goes out to those affected by this abhorrent act of violence, and I pray for the recovery of those left injured and traumatised today. You are in the thoughts and prayers of the British people.'

Just hours before the horror unfolded, victim Ms Good - the mother of nine-month-old Harriet - had posted a photo to Instagram with her daughter in her arms.

The caption read: 'Only because I was walking past and happened to be wearing the same thing 9 months out vs 9 months in etc etc.'

Ms Good's family said in a statement: 'Today we are reeling from the terrible loss of Ashlee, a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, partner, friend, all-round outstanding human, and so much more.

'We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl."

'We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday, our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children's Hospital.'

A man has been hailed as a hero for rushing to aid Ms Good and her baby as he told how he desperately worked to keep the infant alive using store clothes.

A witness interrupted a Nine News reporter at the scene in Bondi Junction and pointed to his brother, saying: 'He's a hero - he saved the baby.'

A first-time mother stabbed to death in the Sydney shopping centre knife rampage has been pictured for the first time. Just hours before the horror unfolded, Ash Good posted a photo to Instagram with her daughter Harriet in her arms

Cauchi, who killed six people and critically injured nine others including a nine-month-old baby, was a surfing enthusiast

Police are pictured at the scene on Saturday following the mass stabbings

Flowers lay on the ground at the scene outside the Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney

Crowds have been gathering to pay their respects to the victims of Saturday's massacre

The clearly shaken man said he used clothes from a store to try and stem the baby's bleeding. 

He said: 'The baby got stabbed and, yeah, the mum got stabbed. The mum came over with the baby and threw it at me. I just helped by holding the baby and trying to compress the baby.'

The brothers stayed with the mother and called emergency services.

The man's sibling called the situation 'very bad', adding: 'A lot of the blood on the floor - hope the baby's all right.'