The distraught mother of the receptionist killed in the Melbourne terror siege says her family has been torn apart and feels like her “world has ended” at the loss of her only child.
Hao Kai was killed while working at the Buckingham Serviced Apartments on Monday night before gunman Yacqub Khayre staged a gunfight with police and was shot dead.
Mr Hao was a father who’d married only a month ago. His family was preparing to celebrate the nuptials in August in his birth country, China.
“Now I have to go back with his remains instead,” his mother, who did not give her name, told reporters through an interpreter.
“I was looking forward to being reunited with my son when I came to Australia.
“But because of what happened two days ago, I feel like my world has ended.”
Watch: Melbourne siege a 'terrorist attack'
Mr Hao’s mother said she had no words to describe how she felt.
She explained in China, children would ensure there was someone there to look after parents when they got old.
“We have no one to rely on in our old days,” she said.
“When I sent my son to Australia I was happy to have him go to a new country and now I have to take him back to China in a box his remains."
She said she loathed Khayre for taking the life of her only son.
“I can’t tell you how much hatred I feel towards the terrorist who did that to my son.
“I hate that terrorist who has torn my family apart.
“We have nothing left.”
'Heartbreaking crime'
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described Mr Hao's death as "a heartbreaking crime".
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton extended his condolences on Tuesday evening.
"Our sympathies go out to his family and we'll be providing support to them," he said.
The 36-year-old woman who was held hostage in the apartment is also deeply traumatised, Commissioner Patton said.
The Columbian national was tied up for a short period of time but was not physically injured during the ordeal.
“She is now recovering from the event and we’ll be providing welfare services to her,” he said.
The two policeman who were seriously injured in the gunfight were visited upon in hospital by the Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.
One policeman was shot in the face while the other was shot in the hand.
Commissioner Patton paid tribute to them.
“No one goes to work expecting to be shot at,” he said.
Investigations are continuing as to whether Khayre was trying to lure police in an attempt to ambush them.
