On Friday, May 24, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in Floreat, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Mark Bombara, 63, entered the home of Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, searching for his ex-wife, Rowena. Unable to locate her, Bombara fatally shot Jennifer and Gretl before taking his own life. His ex-wife had been staying at the Petelczyc residence following a contentious separation.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook described the murders as “senseless” and stressed the need for more efforts to combat domestic violence. Cook extended his condolences to the victims, noting their innocence in the tragic events. He mentioned the possibility of tightening the already stringent gun laws in Western Australia.

The police, represented by Detective Inspector Dave Gorton, stated that this incident is not classified as a family violence case because the perpetrator and victims were not related. However, the ex-wife and one of her daughters are receiving support from the homicide squad.

Jennifer and Gretl were active members of the University of Western Australia’s Water Polo Club. The club’s CEO, Frank Di Costa, expressed deep sorrow over their loss.

This incident has left the community in shock, grappling with the recent loss of Jon Petelczyc, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2019. The Petelczyc family is remembered for their community involvement and dedication.