The family of a woman slain in a shopping centre stabbing spree has criticised inaccurate and insensitive media reporting, saying it has caused them serious distress.

Both the mother and partner of Dawn Singleton, 25, said they learned of her death at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024, via a radio broadcast—before they had formally identified her.

Joel Cauchi, 40, had been experiencing psychotic symptoms when he fatally stabbed six people at the shopping centre and injured 10 others.

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He was shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott just minutes after the attack began.

In a statement provided to the inquest into the tragedy, Ms Singleton’s partner, Ashley Wildey, condemned Sydney radio host Ray Hadley for broadcasting his fiancée’s name and for presenting an “overfamiliarity” with her.

“The manner in which (Hadley) spoke of Dawn’s death was extraordinarily troubling and offensive, given he had not played any role in her life,” he wrote.

“I find it highly offensive that (Hadley) appears to have capitalised on the unfathomable murder of my fiancée by immediately broadcasting it on radio without even consulting her immediate family or myself.”

Mr Wildey, a police officer, said that “constant inaccurate reporting” and repeated coverage of the incident had caused “indescribable emotional damage.”

The statement was released as the police watchdog cleared NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb of misconduct in connection with the public release of Ms Singleton’s identity.

The outgoing commissioner had been accused of breaching police media policy by providing the details to Mr Hadley before Ms Singleton’s next-of-kin—Mr Wildey—was informed.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission found no misconduct by Ms Webb, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Ms Singleton’s mother, Julie, also condemned the media’s treatment of her family.

“Reporters rang my doorbell and left notes in my mailbox seeking comment and information for a story. My family and I found this intrusive, and it was unsettling to know journalists had visited my house,” she wrote in her statement.

As the five-week inquest continued on Tuesday, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said it was not the police force’s responsibility to always correct misinformation in the media.

He was questioned by a barrister representing the families of three victims about how information on violent crimes was communicated to journalists and the public.

Sue Chrysanthou SC said some of her clients perceived a “major issue” in how information flowed from the police to the public.

The barrister told the court a national media organisation had falsely reported that a nine-month-old baby was killed in the attack.

Another news outlet wrongly named someone else as the perpetrator, Mr McKenna said.

However, he maintained it was not NSW Police’s role to respond to every instance of public misinformation.

“If we didn’t put out the name, it’s not necessarily our responsibility to clarify that,” Mr McKenna told the inquest.

“If we tried to do something every time the media puts out something that’s inaccurate, that’s all we’d do.”

Asked how officers handled the release of private details—such as the names of the deceased and medical information about those injured—Mr McKenna said police guidelines served as a “starting point.”

He said officers could release such details to individuals who were not the senior next-of-kin under extraordinary circumstances.

However, he admitted there was no formal written process requiring justification to be submitted up the chain of command for approval.

The inquest continues.