A friend of a man whose fiancé was killed in a horror alleged stabbing attack in Adelaide’s south has revealed the couple’s heartbreaking final request.
Julie Seed, a 38-year-old mother to two girls, was stabbed to death in an alleged daylight attack in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton about 3.40pm on December 20.
Just a day after the attack, Matthew Carr, a long-time friend of her fiancé, Chris Smith, learned the couple had intended to ask him to be the best man at their upcoming wedding.
‘He (Mr Smith) told me yesterday they were going to ask me to be their best man, and I didn’t know that,’ Mr Carr told NCA NewsWire while fighting back tears.
The revelation comes as Mr Smith contends with new challenges, including being a single parent and sole earner for the home the couple only recently built and moved in to.
Mother of two Julie Seed (above) was stabbed to death in an alleged ‘random’ attack at her work on Wednesday
Ms Seed’s fiance, Chris Smith (pictured together), told his friend on Thursday he was meant to be the couple’s best man
‘My friend is in great need of support,’ Mr Carr said. ‘He’s got two girls there that he’s going to need to continue to support’.
Mr Smith broke his own silence on Friday, revealing his devastation at the loss and his anger at a health system he claims failed to protect the public.
Chris Smith told 7 News that his fiancee Julie Seed was a ‘beautiful, caring and heartwarming soul’.
Another woman, Susan Scardajno, 50, was treated for serious injuries at Royal Adelaide Hospital. As of Thursday morning, she was in a stable condition.
South n Police arrested Shaun Michaels Dunk, 30, at the scene following the alleged incident and he has since been charged with murder and attempted murder.
He appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, dressed in a black shirt and white pants.
The man, with a shaved head, sat quietly throughout the proceedings.
His defence lawyer did not ask for bail but asked that Mr Dunk be remanded in custody on mental health grounds, which magistrate Lynette Duncan supported.
South Health confirmed Mr Dunk had been released from their care just two days before the alleged murder.
Mr Smith (pictured with Ms Seed) broke his silence on Friday, writing his partner was a ‘beautiful, caring and heartwarming soul’
Shaun Michaels Dunk (left) was released from care just two days before the alleged murder
He had been on an inpatient treatment order and the state’s chief psychiatrist will review the case.
Mr Smith said he and Ms Seed’s family were ‘devastated and distraught’ by what had unfolded.
‘We are all devastated and distraught by the actions of someone that the health system has obviously failed,’ he said.
‘Forever in our hearts. RIP Julez.
‘Love you forever, Chris and your beautiful girls.’
Mr Carr, who has organised a GoFundMe to help support the grieving family, said they had been contacted by the government for financial assistance in getting them from their native UK to Adelaide, though it was unclear whether it was state or federal authorities who were assisting.
‘The flights part of what we were raising money for is actually going to now be taken care of by the minister, but the family is still in great need of obviously support to get through this next period,’ he said.
‘They’re still gonna have an extended stay whilst they’re here, obviously, whilst the bodies with the coroner, and the timeframe on that is unknown at the moment… They’re recovered accommodation whilst they’re here.’
Police believed the alleged attack the killed Ms Seed and injured another woman, Susan Scardajno, was not targeted (pictured, emergency services at the scene)
A fundraiser for Ms Seed’s family raised more than $11,000 in 15 hours (pictured, police investigators at the Real Estate Agents Group office on Lydia St in Plympton)
The campaign had already raised more than $11,000 in its first 15 hours, with some people donating as much as $1,000.
Witnesses to the alleged attack said they heard a woman screaming after a man walked into the Real Estate Agents Group office.
‘I just heard some lady screaming and I listened to the door as it just crashed closed,’ one woman said.
‘To stand here and watch has been really scary and horrifying to see,’ another said.
Detective Chief Inspector Kieran Baggoley said on Wednesday that Mr Dunk was known to police.
‘We are working through at the moment his history and understanding his antecedence,’ he said.
‘It is very early in the investigation.’
A knife and a small hammer were allegedly found at the scene, with the attack believed to be completely random.
‘There is no information to suggest this is anything other than (a random attack),’ he said.
Police believe Mr Dunk attended the real estate agency on foot and may have been walking along Anzac Highway and surrounding areas prior to the alleged incident.
Inspector Baggoley urged calm, reassuring people that Adelaide’s streets are safe.
Detective Chief Inspector Kieran Baggoley assured residents ‘Adelaide is a very safe place’ following the alleged attack (pictured, the scene of the alleged attack)
‘The message to the public is always be safe,’ he said.
‘Adelaide is a very safe place, it always is, however, unfortunately things like this do happen and it’s up to us as police to not only effectively respond to this initial investigation bit to continue to work with the public to ensure this doesn’t happen again.’
Anyone with any information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Mr Dunk will next appear in court on March 28, 2024, for a charge determination hearing.