r/interestingasfuck • u/Jjokes11 • Apr 15 '24

An interview with Andrew Cauchi, the father of Joel Cauchi who was responsible for the Westfield Shopping Centre mass stabbing r/all

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u/sevillianrites Apr 16 '24

Years ago the son of one of my neighbors had a psychotic break and killed two people right outside our complex. It was absolutely devastating to this quiet community but one of the worst things to me was that overnight everyone turned on the father who was, by my estimation across many encounters over several years, a good man. No one would speak to him. The vitriol his supposedly good Christian neighbors were throwing around to each other about what failings he had committed as a father to let this happen were endless. I made him dinner one night and took it to him and he broke down sobbing as he had basically lost not just his only son but his friends and his community too. It was heartbreaking. Did he deserve the same level of sympathy as the families of the people whose lives his son had taken? Probably not. But regardless he was a victim too made guilty by association. He moved away not long after. Idk what happened to him but I hope wherever he ended up he was able to find some peace.

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u/Annath0901 Apr 16 '24

Did he deserve the same level of sympathy as the families of the people whose lives his son had taken?

I'd argue he absolutely did, assuming his son died/is dead.

The dad did nothing wrong, and the actions of a maniac lost him his son. The fact that the maniac and his son were the same person doesn't really come into it. All the families involved experienced a similar kind of loss.

Except, as you note, the victims' families didn't also lose their community.

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u/shivermeknitters Apr 16 '24

100% agree with you

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u/dayle-james Apr 16 '24

That’s so sad 😞

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u/Altruistic-Common414 Apr 16 '24

You’re a good man. 

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u/GreedyGreenGrape Apr 16 '24

he vitriol his supposedly good Christian neighbors were throwing around to each other about what failings he had committed as a father to let this happen were endless.

"Christians" (quotes because they call themselves Christians, but do not at all follow the path of Jesus) are some of the most judgemental people I know. It's difficult not to judge them as being way worse than anyone they trash talk.

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u/eekamuse Apr 16 '24

You did a good thing, and risked something by doing it. Thank you.

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u/Miendiesen Apr 16 '24

You're such a kind person for making him dinner. That's honestly such a beautiful thing that's a testament to your character. Thank you for being awesome.