Devastating Tragedy: Sydney mum killed in Lindt cafe seige

This morning Australia and the World continues to be rocked as news of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe seige unfolds.

The news becomes even more tragic when this morning we learned that one of the hostages that was killed in the gunfire exchange in the final moments of the seige was 38 year old Mum to 3 young children aged between 4 and 10, Katrina Dawson.

This mum was Sydney barrister Katrina Dawson – who yesterday morning would have no doubt got her children organised for their day and then kissed them all as she left for work. None of them were to know that this would be the very last time she looked into their eyes, held them tight or kissed their precious faces.

She then met a work colleague, barrister Julie Taylor, for a coffee at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place. It’s been reported her friend was halfway through her pregnancy – both women were then caught up as hostages when the horrific seige began.

It’s also been reported that the children’s father, Paul Smith from law firm King & Wood Mallesons and Katrina’s family prayed the seige would have a positive outcome so had not told any of their children about what was unfolding and the fact that it included their mum.

When she was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital just after 2am this morning, their World changed forever. This morning they would learn that Mummy wasn’t going to be able to come home anymore.

Words can’t describe the tragedy of the situation; a beautiful Mum taken from her family in such horrific circumstances and a family who will forever feel the gaping hole left by the fact that Mummy isn’t there anymore.

There is nothing that can be said or done to ease their pain. This loss will ripple across their lives forever. Time will allow them all to grieve, to process their loss and to (very eventually) begin to move ahead. But life will never be the same. It is just so crushingly heart-breaking that loss like this has to ever occur.

They had everything ahead of them – Christmas, a family holiday with friends, Katrina was an outstanding barrister and had a very successful career ahead of her … they had the rest of their lives.

All we pray is that Katrina now rests in peace and her children and family are enveloped with love, kindness and understanding.

From the thousands of Mouths of Mums mums, we send out our thoughts, love and blessings.

Edit (11.40am 16.12.14) Official news has now been released of the other victim, TORI JOHNSON, the 34 year old Manager of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe. Conflicting reports are coming in as to whether he died from gunfire or a heart attack.

Our hearts go out to Tori’s family today also; the tragic loss of life will forever remain etched in our minds. You can read our report for Tori Johnson and tribute here.

Much love,

Nikki Hills xo

(Founder of MoM and mum of 4)

61 Comments

- - michelle_green said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:31 pm
This is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this horrible act!

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:23 pm
I am getting emotional reading this. This is absolutely so sad and horrific, especially so close to Christmas. My heart goes out to her young children and husband. What a heartless monster. These lunatics who are constantly committing violent acts should have been locked up long ago. This is just so heartbreaking and should never have happened. My condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends of this woman.

- - pavlova said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:18 pm
RIP Katrina and Tori our thoughts will be with you, your families and friends.

- - mom91814 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:14 pm
May your soul rest in peace

- - valp said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:07 pm
My goodness, what devastating news to wake up to. It is with sadness to hear of this brave mummy’s passing, but wow, what a hero! She died protecting an unborn child. I am so sad her children don’t have a mummy anymore. So sad, rest in peace.

- - stepmom107932 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:06 pm
This is heartbreaking. How something like this could occur is unimaginable and terrifying.

- - kazjl said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:06 pm
RIP. So so sad for her children. What a horrible evil man. 🙁

- - sassarmum said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:05 pm
RIP Katrina and condolences to your young family.

- - mel1 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    2:00 pm
So sad and tragic. Poor children to lose their mum in such a way. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved in such a senseless and useless event.

- - elizabethr said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    1:56 pm
To the family,friends of tori our deepest sympathy to you.
Our sympathy goes out to katrina’s family. As a mum myself my 9 & 10 year olds were very upset to hear this terrible news. They were really sad to hear that she has left behind 3 young children and they won’t have mummy’s cuddles for Xmas. As Australians and 9 days to Xmas we need to rally behind these young children and show them that mum was a wonderful human being. Also tori is and will be a hero in australians eyes

- - Miss.marwee said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    1:56 pm
Rip! My love and thoughts go out to all of her family and friends!

- - squeekums said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    1:48 pm
RIP Katrina
just tragic

- - bearmad said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    1:09 pm
Such lovely heartwarming words Nikki,all mums today will have Katrina and Tori in thier thoughts.
All we want is peace in the world for everyone and a safer place for all children.

- - mom105503 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    12:06 pm
Just awful for all involved hostages, family, friends, emergency services it will be a day that stays with people for a long time. May the victims rest in peace and their families and friends be guided and comforted through this horrid process.

- - mom72550 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    11:47 am
This is heart-breaking. I feel for her family and hope they can get through this together.

- - Missie said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    11:15 am
This is just so sad, I was hoping I would awaken to a better outcome than this!

- - zenbart said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    10:50 am
It’s devastating and moving on will be a slow process for everyone concerned. As a mum to five, my heart aches for the young ones left behind. My hopes and prayers go to them and to the other families who were affected by this unforgetable event. Let us join hands in praying for all of them and that they may find peace and solitude within.

- - sparkle7 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    10:36 am
Any loss of life is tragic but as a mother of 3 young kids myself it really hits home how tragic this is. 🙁

- - niffynat1 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    10:35 am
Absolutely gut wrenching, heart breaking news. Got goosebumps reading this 🙁

- - mom57808 said
  - 16 Dec 2014
    10:33 am
wha more can be said except god bless those killed and god bless the familys