The knifeman who killed six people in a stabbing spree at a shopping centre in Sydney had a secret life as an escort offering sexual services to men and women online, according to reports.

Joel Cauchi, who murdered six people and injured a nine-month-old baby, had previously listed himself on several male escort websites, including Australia Cracker, Empire Escorts and Escorts Australia.

Cauchi launched the attack at Bondi Junction’s Westfield centre before being gunned down by a hero police officer. 

In his online biography, Cauchi described himself as an “athletic good-looking 39-year-old” based in Sydney who was looking for a “fun time” and offered dozens of “closed door services” which are too graphic to publish, reports the Daily Mail.

After identifying Cauchi as the man behind Saturday’s stabbing rampage, Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke said he was known to police and was “very clearly” suffering from mental health issues. 

Mr Cooke said: “We know that shortly after coming to Sydney, he took possession of a storage facility that has been identified.

“We are continuing to work through the profiling of the offender but very clearly to us at this stage it would appear that this is related to the mental health of the individual involved.”

His family has now issued a statement via Queensland Police, condemning the attacks and saying it has left them “devastated”.

Four women, aged between 20 and 55, and a man who was in his 30s died in the shopping centre and another woman, 38, later died in hospital.

In a statement released through Queensland Police, the Cauchi family said: “We are absolutely devastated by the traumatic events that occurred in Sydney yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims and those still undergoing treatment at this time.

“Joel’s actions were truly horrific, and we are still trying to comprehend what has happened.

“He has battled with mental health issues since he was a teenager.

“We are in contact with both the New South Wales Police Force and Queensland Police Service and have no issues with the police officer who shot our son as she was only doing her job to protect others, and we hope she is coping alright.”