Killer's daughter speaks at inquest about family violence
At a Perth inquest, the daughter of Mark James Bombara testified that her father was a manipulative abuser.
Mark James Bombara killed Jennifer Petelczyc and her daughter Gretl in Perth in May 2024 while searching for his estranged wife. His daughter Ariel told the coroner's court he was a devious manipulator.
Mark and Rowena had been married for 35 years. When Rowena left him, he murdered the two women as revenge.
Ariel apologized to the victims' surviving family and her mother, and criticized police for letting her father keep 13 firearms despite warnings.
- May 24, 2024
- Date of murders
- Perth, Western Australia
- Location
- 35 years
- Years of abuse
- 13 weapons
- Firearms retained
Why it mattersThe testimony highlights the dangers of family violence and raises serious questions about police risk assessment and firearm licensing in domestic abuse cases.
AustraliaIn Western Australia, the case exposes gaps in how authorities handle accused abusers with access to weapons, adding to growing pressure for stronger family violence protections.
