Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her youngest daughter Gretl, 18, were tragically and senselessly murdered after becoming unsuspecting victims in the fallout from a marriage breakdown of a family friend. The violent incident unfolded in their Floreat home on Friday afternoon when Mark Bombara, 63, stormed their house with a gun.
Bombara was the ex-husband of one of Jennifer’s closest friends. Around 4:20 pm, he arrived at the Berkeley Crescent address with a firearm, driven by the knowledge that his former partner had sought refuge there following their recent marital separation. Upon discovering she was not present, Bombara fatally shot Jennifer before turning the gun on Gretl, critically wounding her.
Police responded to the scene and arrived just as the final gunshot was heard at 4:30 pm, which is believed to have been Bombara taking his own life. Despite being rushed to Royal Perth Hospital, Gretl succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities are investigating whether the women were restrained with cable ties during the execution-style killings. Although Bombara and Jennifer had met previously, they were not well-acquainted.
Curtin Independent MP Kate Chaney expressed her sorrow, noting the profound impact on the tight-knit Floreat community, where many had connections to the family or the street. She highlighted the ongoing issue of male-perpetrated violence, lamenting that such tragedies still occur in 2024.
Jennifer’s eldest daughter, 23, is now the sole surviving member of her immediate family, following the death of her father in 2019. She shared a close bond with Gretl, evidenced by their shared TikTok account showcasing their adventures and family moments. Gretl, a 2022 graduate of St Hilda’s Anglican Girls’ School, had recently passed her driving test and was studying at the University of Western Australia, where she also played on the water polo team.
Neighbors remembered Jennifer as altruistic and kind, always caring for others in the community and deeply devoted to her children. The Petelczyc family had resided in their five-bedroom, $2 million Floreat home for over two decades.
On the day of the tragedy, neighbors observed Bombara driving up and down the normally quiet street several times before he entered the house. On Saturday, police searched his Mosman Park property and seized multiple firearms. Although Bombara was licensed to own the guns used in the killings, he was previously known to police for non-violent issues.
Detective Inspector David Gorton described the incident as particularly distressing, emphasizing the broader impact of such a violent event. Police are now caring for the surviving daughter and Bombara’s ex-wife as family and friends lay tributes outside the Petelczyc home, grappling with the devastating loss.
For those experiencing mental health issues, support is available through LifeLine WA at 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service at 1300 659 467, or MensLine Australia at 1300 789 978.
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