Psychiatrist Retracts Claims About Bondi Killer's Motives

Psychiatrist Retracts Claims About Bondi Killer's Motives
Above: A police car is seen outside the Westfield Shopping Centre at Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia on April 14, 2024. Image copyright: Ma Ping/Contributor/Xinhua via Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Dr. A treated Cauchi over eight years from 2012 to 2020 and saw no signs of psychosis, risk, or disconnection from reality. He was articulate, motivated, and fearful of relapse — not delusional. While she retracted her initial claims about motive, that conclusion wasn't obvious based on years of clinical observation.

Narrative B

Dr. A's decision to discontinue Joel Cauchi's antipsychotic treatment in 2019, despite clear warning signs of relapse, was a critical failure. Her flip-flopping testimony — first speculating the attack was driven by sexual frustration, then retracting it — highlights a lack of professionalism and a failure to provide consistent, evidence-based care.

Metaculus Prediction


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