A visitor looks through the barrier to the crime scene which has been turned into a makeshift memorial. Picture: Peter Parks Source: AFP

For those who were young and deserved a shot at a decent life.

After gunman Man Horan Monis took 17 hostages at a downtown cafe Monday morning, he used them to try to make his strange demands through social and mainstream media: to be delivered a flag of the Islamic State group and to speak directly with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

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Video links were quickly removed from YouTube and other conversations went unpublished by newspapers and radio stations while the drama unfolded, lest they compromised the police response.

The 16-hour siege ended early Tuesday in a barrage of gunfire that left the gunman and two hostages dead.

These are their stories.

Jarrod Hoffman is seen holding a flag with Islamic script on Seven News. Source: Channel 7

Marcia Mikhael appears in a video posted by gunman Man Haron Monis. Source: Supplied

Elly Chen’s grief-stricken face was splashed across the globe. Source: Channel 7

KATRINA DAWSON

Image of Katrina Dawson. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

A 38-year-old mother-of-three, Ms Dawson has been confirmed as one of the two hostages killed in the shootout with police.

Ms Dawson was a barrister who specialised in commercial, bankruptcy and corporations law, and worked at law firm Eight Selborne.

Her children, aged eight, five and three, were being told of their mother’s tragic death yesterday morning.

It’s understood she was having coffee with a pregnant colleague, 35-year-old Julie Taylor, when the cafe siege began.

Ms Taylor was taken from the cafe on a stretcher.

TORI JOHNSON

Supplied image of Tori Johnson, victim of the Sydney Siege at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place. Source: Supplied

Mr Johnson, the 34-year-old manager of the Lindt cafe, is being remembered as a hero after he reportedly tried to wrestle the gun from Monis when he began to doze off.

Mr Johnson is the second fatality from the police shootout.

His former boss, Peter Manettas, manager of Nick’s Seafood where Mr Johnson worked for six years, told the Daily Telegraph, “He was an amazing person, a selfless person, a person who always put other people before himself.

“We’re deeply saddened by what’s happened, it’s still sinking in.”

JULIE TAYLOR

A visibly shaken Taylor holds her hands above her head during the beginning of the hostage crisis. Source: Channel 7

Julie Taylor as she appears on her company profile. Source: Supplied

Julie Taylor is a barrister and colleague of Katrina Dawson, who was killed during the siege.

There are unconfirmed reports that Ms Dawson died trying to protect a pregnant Ms Taylor.

They both worked at 8 Selborne Chambers.

She specialises in commercial law and was admitted to the NSW Bar in 2007.

Ms Taylor studied at the University of Western Australia and was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2005.

JARROD HOFFMAN

Hoffman is a University of Technology student. Source: Facebook

A terror-stricken Jarrod Hoffman runs to police as the siege nears its end. Picture: Peter Parks Source: AFP

The youngest of the hostages has been identified after an ordeal in which the teenager was forced to relay the gunman’s demands to the media.

A student at the University of Technology in Sydney, he delivered messages to the media from Man Haron Monis by telephone during the 17-hour stand-off.

The 19-year-old from Bondi told the Daily Telegraph and radio station 2GB that the self-styled Islamic State leader wanted an IS flag and an audience with Tony Abbott.

He also detailed the gunman’s stark threats as he grew aggravated when hostages fled.

“He says an eye for an eye; if someone else runs, someone dies,” said Jarrod.

“I have had a shotgun put at my head and all [he] wants is [the demands met]. We are all afraid, I don’t think you have ever had a shotgun placed at your head. Yes we do need help, but that will only happen if demands are met. We have been treated very well.”

In an alarming end to the call, the teenager’s voice became creaky with trepidation, and he added: “He’s coming now. Bye.”

Jarrod, who attended public school Rose Bay Secondary College, was one of the 17 hostages who managed to escape the Lindt cafe unscathed after dropping in for a morning coffee.

SELINA WIN PE

Win Pe’s face is hidden behind the Islamic flag, but terror is visible. Source: AP

Selina Win Pe was one of the hostages featured in a video of the gunman’s demands. Source: Supplied

Like Jarrod, Selina Win Pe was forced to speak to the media by telephone.

In a harrowing recording, she tells the Daily Telegraph she wants an email address so she can send through a video, becoming irate as she begs the reporter to “get us the hell out of here, please”.

“The Brother has looked after us all, we are all very, very tired,” said Ms Pe, who works at Westpac and as a senior server at St Peter’s Anglican Church.

“We’ve got pregnant ladies in here and sick and elderly and the very, very young staff who deserve to have a decent normal life.

“He is sitting right here. I have you on speaker. I can’t compromise myself and my fellow hostages. Get us out of here. Publish the video.

“We have not heard from Tony Abbott. We have been asking him to call us to have a long conversation.

“He clearly doesn’t give a s*** because he hasn’t called us since 9.45 this morning. We are sick of calling the police negotiators, we are sick of talking to, excuse me, people like yourself who just don’t get an understanding of what a dangerous situation we are in, we are not going to walk out of here.

“I hope you get to sleep at night because we are just not going to. Help us. Help us to get Tony Abbott to call this gentleman to send the fricking Islamic State flag and to publish on all media as soon as possible that Australia is under attack by the Islamic State. We have already told everyone on Facebook and Twitter. We just want to get out of here.”

The newspaper did not publish the chilling video, at the police’s request.

JOHN O’BRIEN

O’Brien detailed the gunman’s chilling plan. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

John O’Brien waits with police. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

John O’Brien, 83, was the first hostage to escape at around 4pm, along with Stefan Balafoutis.

Dressed in a bright blue blazer, he was seen fleeing out of the back entrance, closely followed by the lawyer.

Mr O’Brien, from Maroubra in Sydney’s east, was seen gesticulating at police as he told them of the hostages’ dire predicament.

His granddaughter Izzy Perkins told the Daily Telegraph he remained a keen tennis player.

“He’s okay now. A little shaken, but we are just so happy to have him home,” she said.

BAE JI-EUN

Finally safe. Bae Ji-eun breaks down in the hands of police. Photos: Chris McKeen Source: News Corp Australia

Bae Ji-eun’s distressed face as she fled the cafe has been seen worldwide. Picture: Rob Griffith Source: AP

Student and cafe worker Bae Ji-eun’s image was splashed across international media as she fled to a waiting police officer after escaping the cafe while the gunman was distracted on Monday afternoon.

The 20-year-old Korean student told SBS she thought she “would die in there” and she “can’t believe what happened to (her boss) Tori.”

She escaped the cafe at 5pm on Monday with co-worker Elly Chen.

MARCIA MIKHAEL

“He is now threatening to start killing us,” Mikhael said the video. Source: Channel 7

Marcia Mikhael was forced to send out a chilling video plea detailing the gunman’s request. Source: Supplied

A Facebook image of Ms Mikhael. Source: News Corp Australia

Marcia Mikhael was forced to send out a chilling video plea detailing the gunman’s request.

Huddled with fellow hostages inside the cafe, she posted a series of messages on Facebook.

“I’m at the Lindt Cafe at Martin Place being held hostage by a member of the ISI. The man who is keeping us hostage has asked for small and simple requests and none have been met,” she said.

“He is now threatening to start killing us. We need help right now. The man wants the world to know that Australia is under attack by the Islamic State.”

Her niece Joanne posted later: “Thank you God Marcia Mikhael is out and safe!!! Our prayers have been answered. Lord help the family of the hostage who was killed.”

Another relative later said Ms Mikhael was in hospital but was not seriously injured.

“Such bravery from the police who risked their own lives to save others,” write Amal Helen Mikhael

ELLY CHEN

A Facebook image of Elly Chen. Source: Facebook

The image of Elly Chen holding up an Islamic flag went global. Source: AP

A terrified Ms Chen flees from the Lindt cafe s towards an armed tactical response police officer at Martin Place. Picture: Rob Griffith Source: AP

One of the hostages that managed to escape before the shootout was Elly Chen, 22, a barista at the Lindt Cafe. She was the fifth hostage to escape.

Her terrified face was beamed onto television screens and front pages worldwide as she ran from the cafe with her arms in the air before being taken to safety by police.

Ms Chen was still dressed in her brown Lindt Chocolate Cafe apron when she sprinted towards the officers, the terror clearly evident on her face.

Her sister Nicole Chen was watching the drama unfold and was overjoyed to see she had made it out alive.

“Yesss I finally see you. I’m so glad you’re safe!!,” she posted online.

Her family rushed to the scene as they saw the events unfold on live television, Ms Chen’s face streamed across the world.

Before her escape, Ms Chen’s hands were pressed against the Lindt cafe window, holding the Islamic flag which read, “There is no god but Allah. And Muhammed is his messenger.”

STEFAN BALAFOUTIS

Stefan Balafoutis is the second hostage to escape, running for cover behind a policeman. Picture: William West Source: AFP

The second hostage to leave the Lindt cafe was barrister Stefan Balafoutis, who had been having coffee with a colleague when the gunman entered the cafe.

Mr Balafoutis, in a white shirt, followed Mr O’Brien out of the cafe just before 4pm yesterday as the siege entered its sixth hour.

Colleagues at the firm where he worked were sent an email confirming he had escaped and was safe, the Daily Telegraph said.

VISWAKANTH ANKIREDDY

Viswakanth Ankireddy, third from left, runs for safety with a group of hostages, including Harriette Denny. Source: DailyTelegraph

Viswakanth Ankireddy, a 32-year-old from West Bengal, India who lives in Sydney, was heading to work at Westpac where he was working on a project when he stepped into the Lindt cafe.

He is employed by multinational tech giant Infosys.

His father told media he only knew his son was safe when he saw him escape on live television.

“We are extremely happy and anxiously waiting to speak to him,” said Sulochana, Viswakanth Reddy’s mother.

Westpac CEO Gail Kelly confirmed four employees were caught up in the hostage drama but all four were safe.

The priority for the bank was now to provide them with as much support as possible, she said.

PUSPENDU GHOSH

Ghosh had been enjoying his time in Australia and had recently been skydiving. Source: Facebook

Puspendu Gosh escaped unharmed but was being treated for trauma. Source: Facebook

Mr Ankireddy’s colleague at Infosys, Puspendu Ghosh, also escaped the siege unharmed but was being treated for trauma.

His mother Smriti Kana Ghosh told the Times of India that she and her husband Pushpal Ghosh were extremely anxious when they heard their son was being held hostage.

They tried frantically to call him but were informed by Infosys that he was underdoing treatment for trauma.

The company promised to arrange a call as soon as he was well enough.

Mr Ghosh had been making the most of the Sydney lifestyle, going skydiving — which he described as “an amazing experience” — and taking up scuba diving.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed the safety of both Indians and said they were undergoing medical check-ups.

HARRIETTE DENNY

”Harriette lost a valued friend”, her father later said. Source: Facebook

Facebook image of Harriete Denny, who ran from the cafe moments before shots were fired. Source: Facebook

Harriette is seen fleeing the scene with other hostages. Picture: Rob Griffith Source: AP

Sunshine Coast woman Harriette Denny, 30, joined Mr Ankireddy in running from the cafe with five other hostages just before shots were fired inside and police stormed in.

Miss Denny was one of the hostages who were seen pressed against the glass of the Lindt cafe under orders of the gunman Man Haron Monis.

She worked at the Lindt cafe and has spoken to relieved family members.

Her father Robert Denny posted on Facebook of his relief but said the family would not be celebrating out of respect to those who had been killed.

“Harriette lost a valued friend and work colleague and our hearts go out to his family and the family of the lady who lost her life,” her father wrote.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr Denny said, “She’s tired, she’s relieved and she’s distressed that her friend the duty manager didn’t make it through.”

FIONA MA

Ma posted messages on social media hours into the ordeal. Source: Facebook

Fiona Ma was able to remain upbeat and message her friends and family during her terrifying ordeal. Source: Facebook

Fiona Ma posted emotional messages on social media hours into the siege, generating a flood of support from her friendship circle.

Ms Ma remained upbeat after her ordeal, posting on Facebook:

“I’m getting your messages everyone! Thank you, you beautiful souls,” she posted on her Facebook page yesterday afternoon.

“Guys I love each and every one of you.”

Ms Ma is a recent high school graduate from James Ruse Agricultural College in Carlingford.

The teenager is a high achiever, winning a John Lincoln Youth Community Award, was a HSC Distinguished Achiever and All-Round Achiever.