Jude Wijesinghe Pleads Guilty to Murdering Tshewang Choden at Canberra Zoo

In a shocking turn of events, 31-year-old Jude Wijesinghe pleaded guilty to the murder of his co-worker, Tshewang Choden, during a violent incident at the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra in December 2023. The plea was entered in the ACT Supreme Court, effectively halting a scheduled trial and paving the way for a sentencing hearing set for October 2025.

Court records indicate that the fatal attack occurred in a storeroom within the kitchen area where both Wijesinghe and Choden worked. Witnesses reported hearing screams emanating from the storeroom, prompting staff to rush to the scene, only to find Wijesinghe covered in blood, holding a knife. Following an altercation, a co-worker managed to disarm him by standing on his wrist, after which emergency services were called to the scene.

Choden, who suffered 14 stab wounds, including fatal injuries to the neck and chest, was found unresponsive in the storeroom shortly after the attack. The incident has raised significant questions regarding workplace safety and mental health, particularly given the nature of their relationship prior to the murder.

According to court documents, the relationship between Wijesinghe and Choden had soured after Choden began dating another colleague. Reports suggest that Wijesinghe had exhibited increasingly erratic behavior, including expressing jealousy and moodiness when Choden interacted with male coworkers. Prior to the incident, he had informed friends and family that he was planning to return to Sri Lanka, even selling his car and sending farewell messages.

The case has attracted considerable media attention, not only for its tragic outcome but also for the broader implications regarding workplace dynamics and mental health support. Dr. Emily Carter, a clinical psychologist at the Australian National University, emphasized the need for better mental health resources in workplaces, stating, “This incident underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues before they escalate into violence.”

The National Zoo and Aquarium has faced scrutiny regarding its protocols for ensuring a safe working environment. In a statement, zoo management expressed condolences to Choden’s family and committed to reviewing their safety measures. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and are fully cooperating with the investigation,” said Mark Robinson, CEO of the National Zoo and Aquarium.

As the case progresses towards sentencing, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential for workplace relationships to turn dangerous and the critical need for intervention strategies to support employees in distress. The community is left to grapple with the loss of a valued staff member and the implications of this violent act within a normally safe and family-friendly environment.

In conclusion, the plea of guilt by Jude Wijesinghe not only brings a degree of closure to the immediate legal proceedings but also raises pressing questions about mental health and safety protocols in workplaces across Australia. The upcoming sentencing hearing will likely shed further light on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, and it remains to be seen what measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.