Source : Perth Now news
A gunman who murdered a mother and daughter before turning the weapon on himself was fixated on his failed marriage before the killings.
Mark James Bombara killed Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter, 18-year-old Gretl, at their Perth home on May 24, 2024.
The 63-year-old was searching for his ex-wife when he went to the house and fatally shot them.
He turned a gun on himself as police arrived at the property.
An inquest into the three deaths has been told Bombara, a father of four, separated from his wife, Rowena, in the month before he murdered Ms Petelczyc and her daughter.
“The separation was acrimonious,” counsel assisting the coroner, Rachael Young, said in her opening remarks on Monday.
“Several witnesses described Mr Bombara as fixated on separation and being in disbelief about the marriage ending.”
He was also seriously unwell. He’d had several strokes, and he had a 10cm cyst on his brain
After his stroke, his family observed he was angrier, moody and at times “unhinged”, Mr Young said.
In May 2024, one of his daughters spoke to medical staff about her concerns for her father’s mental state.
“Bombara was very distressed and upset,” Ms Young said.
Bombara also told his doctor he wanted a mental health care plan and a possible referral to a psychiatrist.
He denied suicidal thoughts.
About the same time, Ms Petelczyc told her daughter that Rowena may come to their house and that if Bombara showed up, “don’t let him in”.
On May 24, Bombara showed up at the home looking for Rowena.
On a call to Rowena, Ms Petelczyc reported that he seemed strange and off.
“While on the call, Jennifer said … words to the effect, ‘Oh shit, he’s come back’,” Ms Young said.
Ms Petelczyc told Gretl to hide.
Four triple-zero calls were made in the minutes after.
In one, a woman was heard screaming, Ms Young said.
Bombara fired five shots, all told.
Police entered the Floreat home shortly after.
“They found Jennifer, who had passed away from two gunshot wounds to the head,” Ms Young said.
“They found Mr Bombara in the same room, closer to the kitchen, with a single gunshot wound.”
A Glock handgun was located in the kitchen dining area.
“Gretl was found in the front hallway; her hands had been restrained together with cable ties,” Ms Young said.
She had two gunshot wounds and was alive.
Paramedics rushed her to hospital, but she later died.
The inquest will examine the police response to the triple-zero call and family violence allegations involving Bombara.
It will also probe the system that allowed him to retain his gun licences and the medical care he received before the killings.
The inquest continues.
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Lifeline 13 11 14
Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
