A statement from the paramedic’s family has been released as heartbreaking new information about the incident and a photo of the accused killer emerge. The victim was a paramedic who was allegedly stabbed to death at a Sydney McDonald’s.
Steven Tougher, 29, passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Friday in Campbelltown, Sydney, as he was enjoying a food break in the back of his ambulance following a night shift.
According to the police, Mr. Tougher was stabbed in a “unprovoked” and “horrific” attack by Jordan Fineanganofo. Mr. Tougher was taken urgently to the hospital, but he tragically passed away.
Mr. Tougher has left behind a grieving community, his wife, and a young child.
Fineanganofo, 21, was tasered, detained, and accused with murdering Mr. Tougher after being apprehended there.
The Daily Telegraph is now reporting that Fineanganofo was given a psychosis diagnosis in 2021 but has never received treatment for the disease.
According to court documents obtained by the publication, Fineanganofo “stalked” Tougher in a Campbelltown parking lot before allegedly stabbing him 50 times.
In a “frenzied attack,” Fineanganofo allegedly stabbed Mr. Tougher after pulling up close to his NSW Ambulance car and “stalking” him for 30 seconds.
Despite not having his client with him, the young man’s attorney Javid Faiz announced that Fineanganofo would not be requesting bail when he appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.
Mr. Faiz informed the media outside of court that Mr. Fineanganofo was getting his mental health evaluated.
According to Mr. Faiz, his client had mental health problems and was being treated in a hospital under police protection.
He is completely aware of the seriousness of the offenses, I’ve discussed them to him, Mr. Faiz stated.
The neighborhood has been in grief since Tougher’s passing.
In a lengthy and sorrowful statement, Mr. Tougher’s parents Jillian and Jeff, sister Jess, and wife Madison paid respect to the important employee and family guy.
“Steven’s commitment to helping others shined most brightly while he was working as a paramedic for NSW Ambulance and earlier as a nurse.
“But Steven’s compassion affected the lives of so many people; it wasn’t just his medical knowledge that set him apart.
He had a talent for assuaging anxieties, providing consoling words, and being kind in the middle of stressful or chaotic situations.
“Steven had a remarkable capacity for relating to individuals, actually comprehending their needs, and offering true warmth and empathy in his caregiving.
He made others around him happy by always having a smile, a nice word, or a helping hand.
We are grateful for the love and support we have received from his colleagues at NSW Ambulance, his closest friends and family, the larger NSW Health family, NSW Police, and members of the community, even though we are still grieving the loss of our dearly loved husband, father, son, and brother.
Our family begs privacy at this time as we are still processing our loss, the family added.
At the scene of Mr. Tougher’s death on Saturday, there was a flood of emotion.
Well-wishers and those who were impacted by the tragedy left dozens of flowers and notes at the scene.
A distressed former paramedic wrote in one letter: “I pray for his young family, extended family, colleagues, and acquaintances.
“I am utterly heartbroken, furious, and devastated for my fellow paramedic brother.”
Statewide paramedics pay tribute to the young guy who died while performing his duty.
A huge bouquet of flowers with a letter that said, “From your coworkers at Mudgee Ambulance Station,” attached to it.
For his young family, a GoFundMe effort has already garnered more than $300,000. Madison, the wife of Mr. Tougher, is currently expecting their second child.
