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Tribute to siege victim: “Tori loves flowers”

Dec 19, 2014
Thomas Zinn (second from left) the partner of siege victim Tori Johnson joins family members at the tribute at Martin Place.

Thomas Zinn (second from left) the partner of siege victim Tori Johnson joins family members at the tribute at Martin Place.

Sydney siege victim Tori Johnson loved flowers and would have appreciated the growing floral tribute in the city’s CDB, his partner says.

The memorial in Martin Place began hours after Johnson and fellow hostage Katrina Dawson died after being held with 15 others for 16 hours by a gunman in the Lindt cafe.

Thomas Zinn told Nine Network the public memorial has been a source of comfort in his grief and that of  Johnson’s extended family.

“Yes, Tori loves flowers,” he said in an interview broadcast on Friday.

“This is probably the most beautiful thing, you know, and I’m sure he can see it.

“When I was down there … I could smell the flowers through Sydney and I think it is just amazing that he has been able to make our city smell like flowers. I think there is no more beautiful thing that he could have imagined.”

Zinn and Johnson had been together for 14 years.

Zinn also expressed his condolences to Dawson’s family.

“It is still very early, but we know that they feel exactly like us,” he said.

The Martin Place floral memorial. AAP image

The Martin Place floral memorial. AAP image

Johnson’s father, partner and brother visited the Martin Place tribute on Wednesday. Dawson’s family visited on Thursday.

Describing his partner, Zinn said he was an incredibly kind person.

“(He’s) probably the most positive human being I’ve ever met.”

He said it was “no fluke” that Johnson was the manager of the popular CBD cafe.

“He was just somebody that people really looked to for guidance.”

“He has been absolutely amazing with his staff. He would always support them. He would coach them. He is always there for them whether it’s a personal matter or a professional matter. And he was the fairest person.”

He wants his partner to be remembered as as a humble and very generous person.

Zinn said the family is experiencing unimaginable grief and the tragedy will never be forgotten.

The bodies of the two hostage victims have been returned to their families so funeral arrangements can be made before Christmas.

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