Real estate boss breaks her silence after worker was stabbed to death and colleague wounded in ‘random’ attack at Plympton office

The boss of a woman stabbed to death in what police say was a random attack by a man fresh out of a mental hospital wants to shift the blame so the tragedy can stop.

Sean Michaels Dunk, 30, is accused of breaking into the REAL Estate Agents Group in Plympton, Adelaide, on December 20 and assaulting staff with a knife.

Property manager Julie Seed, 38, died at the scene, while team leader Susan Scardinho, 50, was seriously injured and is being treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Dunk, who is charged with murder and attempted murder, was released from a mental hospital that morning.

He was also released from hospital on December 18, despite allegedly warning police two weeks earlier that he was hallucinating and feared he might hurt someone.

Property manager Julie Seed, 38, died at REAL Estate Agents Group in Plympton, Adelaide, on December 20 after Shaun Michaels Dunk, 30, allegedly burst into the office armed with a knife. Ms Seed is pictured with fiance Chris Smith.

Estate agent group leader Ellie Comley took to Facebook on Sunday to pay tribute to her staff and call for support for mental health workers.

“We must honor dear Julie’s life and ensure that this tragedy becomes a turning point to catalyze an immediate overhaul of South Africa’s mental health system, which has utterly failed so many,” Ms Comley wrote.

“There is no one to blame here.

“We can’t blame the unfortunate medical staff who freed (Dunk) – these are also real people who, I’m sure, are also suffering greatly right now.” I feel for them.

“They are obliged to monitor the processes. The blame lies entirely with the imperfections of the broken system in which they work, and not with them personally.”

Ms. Comley described Ms. Seed and Ms. Scardinho as “sisters” to their colleagues at the agency and “an integral part of our REAL family that we love unconditionally.”

“Julie’s family is suffering incredibly from the pain of their loss and our deepest sympathies go out to them,” Ms Comley wrote.

“Sue was seriously injured but survived thanks to her inner strength and the hand of God.

Team leader Susan Scardinho, 50, was seriously injured in the alleged attack by Sean Michaels Dunk and is being treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. A friend of Ms Scardinho (above) said she suffered injuries while trying to protect her colleague.

“She is an inspirational woman and is already making a remarkable recovery thanks to her perseverance.

“But her emotional healing, I am sure, will be a long one. We will support them all in every way possible.”

Estate agent team leader Ellie Comley (above) paid tribute to Ms Seed and Ms Scardinho on Facebook

A friend of Ms Scardinho previously told The Washington News Australia she suffered injuries while trying to protect Ms Seed.

Ms Comley thanked everyone who came to the aid of her staff, including paramedics and police officers.

“We are completely indebted to our building co-tenants for their courageous and timely intervention,” she wrote. “Without a doubt, they saved Sue’s life.”

Ms Comley said Ms Seed’s death and Ms Scardinho’s injuries had deeply affected the families, friends and clients of their colleagues.

“Tragedies like this never happen within a few people,” she wrote. “They have a ripple effect and in this case the emotional toll on many families is enormous.

“We have been overwhelmed and humbled by the messages of support from our customers, landlords, tenants and neighboring businesses – your kindness and lovely messages have touched us.”

Dunk spent the night of December 19 at the Grenfell Street Mental Health Emergency Center in Adelaide’s CBD before being released two hours before the alleged attack.

Sean Michaels Dunk, 30 (left), was accused of breaking into a group of estate agents in Plympton, Adelaide, on December 20 and attacking workers with a knife and hammer.

According to The Advertiser, he was detained under the Mental Health Act on December 5 after he went to a police station and said he was hallucinating people threatening to kill him.

SA Health has launched a review of its processes and the state’s chief psychiatrist will review the circumstances surrounding Dunk’s treatment and discharge.

Dunk appeared via video link in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on December 21.

He did not apply for bail and will remain in custody until March, when he is due to appear in court again.

A friend of Ms Seed’s fiance, Chris Smith, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her family cover airfare from the UK and other funeral costs.

Ms Seed has two daughters, aged 12 and 18, and became engaged to Smith a year ago.