Sydney mother-of-three Katrina Dawson was one of the two hostages killed in the siege in Sydney’s Martin Place early Tuesday morning.
The 38-year-old barrister – who specialised in commercial, bankruptcy and corporations’ law – worked at Eight Selborne, had three children, aged eight, five and three.
Ms Dawson was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital after an exchange of gunfire after 2am. It is believed she suffered a fatal heart attack while being transported by ambulance.
On this morning’s Sunrise programme host Natalie Barr broke down on television this morning when she revealed that Ms Dawson was the sister of Sandy Dawson, a prominent Sydney barrister with close ties to Channel 7.
Ms Dawson was one of the 17 people held hostage in a terrifying 17-hour siege that shutdown Sydney.
The 34-year-old man killed in the Martin Place siege has been named as Tori Johnson, the manager of the Lindt Chocolat Café.
Johnson had reportedly worked at the cafe for more than two years and is being praised a hero this morning for trying to wrestle a shotgun from gunman Man Haron Monis who was shot dead by police just after 2am on Tuesday.
His family released a statement by journalist Ben Fordham, saying: “We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for.
“We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson.
“We’d like to thank not only our friends and loved ones for their support, but the people of Sydney; Australia and those around the world for reaching out with their thoughts and prayers.
“Our deepest gratitude to the NSW police, armed forces and paramedics for their tireless efforts.
“We ask that the media respects our privacy in this difficult time. Let us all pray for peace on earth.”
NSW Premier Mike Baird places a bunch of flowers in Martin Place. Picture: Twitter/Jane Wardell
Monis, 50, was as self-described cleric known to authorities for penning offensive letters to the family of dead Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan calling them murderers.
In 2013 he was charged with being an accessory to the murder of his ex-wife and mother of two and most recently more than 40 sexual assault charges involving seven alleged victims who came in contact with him when he spent time as a self-proclaimed “spiritual healer”.
Police confirmed that two other women taken hostage and a male police officer were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The officer, who had a facial wound, has since been released.
Another woman has been taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to her shoulder and a 35-year-old woman was taken to hospital as a precaution.
