Estranged wife of Sydney dentist shot dead by police reveals abuse

The estranged wife of a well-known dentist, who met a tragic end after being fatally shot by police following an attack on two women in Sydney’s inner city, has shared a heartfelt open letter on social media. In this revealing message, she discusses the “affairs,” “secrets,” and “abuse” she endured during their marriage.

More than a year after separating from her husband, Steven Lin, Cassandra Lin opened up about the “pain of betrayal” she continues to bear. Despite the heartache, she is determined to honor his memory by raising their children with love and dignity.

Cassandra disclosed a shocking revelation that her husband had fathered a child without her knowledge, a discovery that deeply fractured the foundation of trust in their relationship.

Cassandra Lin (left), revealed her estranged husband Steven Lin (right) had fathered a child behind her back.
Cassandra Lin (left), revealed her estranged husband Steven Lin (right) had fathered a child behind her back. (Instagram)

“My world was turned upside down when I uncovered the double life you had been leading,” Cassandra expressed in her poignant letter. “The affairs, the secrets, the abuse, and the child you fathered without my awareness.”

“This betrayal destroyed the faith I had in you and the future we once envisioned together,” she continued, painting a picture of a life upended by hidden truths.

“It shattered the trust I had placed in you and the future I thought we were building together.

“The pain of that betrayal is something I’m still learning how to carry.”

Steven, aged 41, broke into a Potts Point apartment complex on March 3 while under the influence of drugs and attacked two women, Chloe Paul and Christine Campeau, as they were at home.

Steven Lin - killed by police in Potts Point
Lin, aged 41, had amassed a high profile as a prominent dentist and social media influencer. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Police rushed to the building and shot Lin with a Taser, which was ruled “ineffective”. He was then shot with one round and declared dead at the scene.

The two injured women were rushed to hospital and underwent surgery for extensive facial injuries.

In her letter, his estranged wife described him as “complicated” and “flawed”.

“Standing here today, I’m reminded that people are never just the worst thing they’ve done, nor only the best,” she wrote.

“You were complicated. You were flawed. You made choices that hurt me deeply and changed our lives forever.

“I know you’ve heard it all before, so I don’t say it anymore, I had to stand back and let you fight your secret war. A war which you lost in the end.”

Just two weeks ago, Chloe Paul and Christine Campeau were strangers.
Chloe Paul and Christine Campeau survived the horrifying attack and were widely praised for their strength. (A Current Affair)

Cassandra ended her letter by pledging to care for the couple’s children without him.

“They deserve to know that their father loved them. Your story doesn’t end here, because it lives on in them,” she wrote.

“And while our path together didn’t end the way either of us imagined, I will carry forward the responsibility we began together – raising the beautiful children we brought into this world.”

Steven, author of The Dental Diet, had amassed a prominent social media presence with more than 250,000 Instagram followers.The Dental Diet.

He was a former principal of Helix Dentistry on the NSW Central Coast. He separated from his wife Cassandra in early 2024.

His involvement with Helix Dentistry ended around the same time.

It has been previously reported that the 41-year-old had faced court for a raft of offences in recent years, including stalking, assaults, choking and breaching apprehended violence orders.

Cassandra Lin’s full open letter

Cassandra Lin letter 1
The letter was posted to Cassandra’s Instagram. (Instagram.com/thecassandraapproach)
Cassandra Lin letter 2
In it she described her estranged husband as living a separate, secret life. (Instagram.com/thecassandraapproach)
Cassandra Lin letter 3
The pair separated in 2024. (Instagram.com/thecassandraapproach)
Cassandra Lin letter 4
In the letter she pledged to raise the pair’s children to the best of her ability. (Instagram.com/thecassandraapproach)
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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