Ashlee Good has been remembered as a “beautiful”, “all round outstanding human” after being revealed as one of the victims of a stabbing attack inside a busy Sydney shopping centre.
The 38-year-old mother is among six people confirmed to have been killed in Queensland man Joel Cauchi’s attack inside Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon.
Twelve people were also hospitalised for injuries sustained in the attack.
Good’s nine-month-old baby was rushed to hospital on Saturday and is now “doing well” after hours of emergency surgery, her 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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Ashlee’s family thanked staff at Sydney Children’s Hospital for their “expert care and attention” and NSW Police for their “kindness and diligence”.
Family heaps praise on those who rushed to help
The family also paid tribute to two men who “held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not”.
“Words cannot express our gratitude,” they said.
The family said it was “struggling to come to terms with what has occurred” and it was distressed some media outlets published photos of the family without consent.
The image published by the ABC has been released by the family.
Police said earlier on Sunday that it could be “some time” before other victims were publicly identified.
Two of the victims have no family in Australia and authorities have been trying to contact their families.
Ashlee’s father is Kerry Good, a former player AFL club North Melbourne player and board member.
Players will wear black armbands in honour of Ashlee in its match against Geelong this afternoon, the club has confirmed.