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AAP
AAP
National
Jacob Shteyman

Woman pays tribute to friend killed in stabbing attack

Susan Scardigno (right) has paid tribute to her friend Julie Seed (left). (HANDOUT/SOCIAL MEDIA)

A woman gravely injured in a random knife attack that claimed the life of her friend has remembered the mother of two as an "amazing human".

Susan Scardigno was discharged from Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday, less than a week after the pair were allegedly stabbed by a stranger at their workplace in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton on December 20.

In her first public comments since the incident, the 50-year-old customer relationship manager called for the community to rally around Ms Seed's daughters and addressed her alleged assailant, Shaun Michaels Dunk.

"To the coward who did this I would like you to know that you achieved nothing," Ms Scardigno wrote on Facebook.

"Julie may not be with us physically any more, but you didn't snuff out her light, you only made it shine brighter.

"Now everyone knows what an amazing human she was; kind, loving and with the ability to see the beauty in the smallest things."

The pair had been working together at REAL Estate Agents Group, where Ms Seed had been a property manager since June 2021.

"As for me, you only made me more determined than ever to create change and love harder with every breath and every second you tried to rob me of," Ms Scardigno said.

"I didn't lie down then and I'm not about to now."

Dunk was arrested at the scene and faced Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with murder and attempted murder. He was remanded in custody under mental health legislation to face court again in March.

SA Health said the 30-year-old was being treated for a mental health condition at Royal Adelaide Hospital, before being released into the community on two days before the attack.

The state's chief psychiatrist John Brayley said his office will conduct an independent review into Dunk's treatment, led by a senior psychiatrist from interstate.

A GoFundMe fundraiser to help support the victims' families had attracted more than $5000 in donations by Wednesday afternoon.

The incident sent shockwaves through the business and the community it serves, the fundraiser's organiser Brett Wheatland wrote.

"The road to recovery won't be easy, but we can all contribute to the healing process," he said.

"The funds raised will be directed straight to those impacted to help meet their immediate and ongoing needs as they navigate the pathway forward."

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