She was a brilliant lawyer who taught young students how to prepare for mock trials. He was the beloved manager of a chocolate shop and cafe who was known for putting his staffers' needs first.

Man Haron Monis was an Iranian refugee known for sending hate mail to the families of Australian soldiers killed overseas and facing several charges of sexual assault.

A number of Australian news outlets quoting local sources have reported that two people, including the hostage taker, have died in the siege of a café in central Sydney.

Several more hostages have fled the scene of the Sydney cafe siege amid the sound of gunfire and loud explosions.

At least five more hostages have fled the scene of the siege at the cafe in Sydney, Australia.

New South Wales police have confirmed three people, including the 50 year old hostage taker Mon Man Haron Monis, have died after a SWAT team moved in to end the siege of a café in central Sydney. The two other dead are a 38 year-old woman and a 34 year-old man.