Written by Stephen Gibbs and Tita Smith, Daily Mail Australia
December 25, 2023 04:11, Updated December 25, 2023 04:11
The boss of a woman stabbed to death in what police say was a random attack by a man who had just been released from a mental health facility is calling for a shift in responsibility to stop the tragedy.
Shawn Michaels Dunk, 30, is accused of breaking into a group of real estate agents in Plimpton, Adelaide, on December 20 and attacking staff with a knife.
Property manager Julie Seed, 38, died at the scene and team leader Susan Scardinho, 50, suffered serious injuries and is recovering at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Dunk was charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder and was released from a mental health facility that morning.
He was also discharged from hospital on December 18, despite having hallucinations and alerting police two weeks earlier because he was worried he might hurt someone.
Allie Comrie, president of Real Estate Agents Group, took to Facebook on Sunday to pay tribute to her employees and call for support for mental health workers.
“We must honor dear Julie’s life and ensure this tragedy is the turning point to urgently overhaul the SA mental health system that has completely failed so many people.” Comrie wrote.
“No one is at fault here.
“You can’t blame the unfortunate medical staff who released him.” [Dunk] – They are also real people who must be badly affected right now. I feel sorry for them.
“They have an obligation to follow the process. The fault lies entirely with the failings of the broken system in which they work, not with them personally.”
Comrie said Seed and Scardigno are like “sisters” to her colleagues at the firm and are “an integral part of a real family that we love dearly.”
“Julie’s family is suffering incredibly from the pain of their loss and our hearts go out to them,” Comrie wrote.
“Sue was seriously injured, but through her inner strength and the hand of God, she pulled through.
“She is an inspirational woman whose tenacity has already seen her make a remarkable recovery.
“But I am confident that her emotional healing will be long-lasting. We will support them all in every way possible.”
A friend of Mr Scardigno previously told Daily Mail Australia that he sustained the injury while trying to protect Mr Seed.
Comrie thanked those who came to the employee’s aid, including paramedics and police officers.
“We are deeply grateful for the brave and timely intervention of our building’s co-tenants,” she wrote. “Without a doubt, they saved Sue’s life.”
Ms Comrie said Ms Seed’s death and Ms Scardigno’s injuries had a profound impact on her co-worker’s family, friends and clients.
“A tragedy like this is never confined to a small minority,” she wrote. “They have a ripple effect, and in this case, the psychological damage to many families is immeasurable.
“We are overwhelmed and humbled by the messages of support from our clients, landlords, tenants, and neighboring businesses. Your kindness and beautiful messages have touched us.”
Ms Dunk was being cared for at an emergency mental health care center on Grenfell Street in Adelaide’s CBD on the night of December 19, but was released two hours before the alleged attack.
He was detained under the Mental Health Act after turning himself in at a police station on December 5, according to The Advertiser, claiming he was experiencing hallucinations of people threatening to kill him.
SA Health has begun a review of its processes, with the state’s chief psychiatrist expected to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding Ms Dunk’s treatment and discharge.
Dunk appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on December 21.
He has not applied for bail and will remain in custody until March, when he is scheduled to appear in court again.
Chris Smith, a friend of Ms Seed’s fiancé, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her family pay for her flight from the UK and other funeral expenses.
Seed, who has two daughters, ages 12 and 18, got engaged to Smith a year ago.