Murder accused had absconded from mental health facility days before western Sydney stabbing spree
A man accused of murder over a triple stabbing at a busy shopping strip in western Sydney yesterday had absconded from a mental health facility 10 days earlier, health authorities have confirmed.
A 38-year-old man was killed and two other shoppers were critically injured in what police described as a "random" stabbing spree on Merrylands Road.
Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa, 25, fronted Parramatta Local Court today, where he was formally denied bail.
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CCTV from inside the minimart shows the moments before an alleged stabbing rampage. 9News
Paramedics, police and fire crews are all responding to an alleged stabbing at Terminal Place in Merrylands. 9News
He has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder over yesterday's alleged attack.
CCTV footage from inside the Nepalese mini mart where the first stabbing took place appears to show the alleged attacker approaching the till dressed in a white bucket hat, where one of the victims - a woman seen wearing a yellow shirt - is standing.
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Within seconds, the woman was allegedly stabbed in the abdomen before the accused made his way out onto the footpath, where the 38-year-old man was attacked.
The man attempted to shelter in a stairwell but died from his injuries.
The third victim, a 21-year-old man, was allegedly stabbed while inside a nearby kebab shop with his mother.
He and the 47-year-old woman today remain in critical conditions at Westmead Hospital.
The three alleged victims are not believed to be known to one another.
Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has confirmed the alleged attacker had absconded from their care while being transferred between hospitals on February 7.
"The District is aware a person alleged to be involved in the incident is a recent patient of Cumberland Hospital, which provides acute inpatient care for people with complex mental health needs.," WSLHD said in a statement.
"On 7 February 2026, this person absconded from care while being transferred from Cumberland Hospital to Westmead Hospital emergency department for further medical assessment."
Police were notified and the patient's family was contacted, but "all attempts" by the hospital to contact them were unsuccessful.
Cumberland Hospital is a public psychiatric hospital located in Westmead, just a few minutes' drive from Westmead Hospital.
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Health authorities had been unable to contact the 25-year-old murder accused for 10 days after he absconded from inpatient care at Cumberland Hospital. Today / Supplied
The 25-year-old man accused of the deadly attack was being transferred to Westmead Hospital's emergency department for further medical assessment when he absconded. Nine / Dean Sewell
NSW Health will be conducting a formal review into the patient's care and treatment in the wake of the alleged stabbing.
NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said she was "unsure" how the man had managed to escape.
"That transfer was being done with a mental health nurse and a security guard," she said.
"So I'm not exactly sure how that individual was able to run away. That's the purpose of the review."
Police Superintendent Simon Glasser yesterday described the attack as "highly confronting".
"It's a horrible [alleged] offence to have taken place in Merrylands just prior to lunch time - there were lots of people around," he said, speaking outside Merrylands Police Station.
"It was obviously very confronting for anyone who was in the area."
Glasser said police were at the scene "within a minute or two" and began locking down the street.
They established a crime scene spanning 50 metres along Merrylands Road.
The alleged attacker was found in the backyard of a property on nearby Smythe Street, where he was arrested.
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A knife was found by police but is yet to be linked to the random attack. Nine
Charges against the Merrylands local are yet to be laid. Nine
He was charged overnight with murder and two counts of causing wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent to murder.
The man who died is yet to be formally identified.
Police were seen searching the front yard and driveway of a home.
Glasser said police found a knife "similar to a kitchen knife, approximately 20 to 30 centimetres in length" at the property where the alleged attacker was found, but it had not been confirmed that this was the weapon allegedly used.
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