Arabic version: ابنة تعتذر خلال تحقيق انتحار-قتل فلوريات

According to ABC News, Ariel Bombara apologised to the family of Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc during the inquest into the Floreat double murder-suicide, describing her father Mark Bombara as a “devious, ruthless manipulator” driven by control and revenge.

Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, were shot dead at their Floreat home in Perth in May 2024. Mark Bombara had gone to the house while pursuing his estranged wife, Rowena Bombara, before turning the gun on himself.

Ariel Bombara told the inquest that when her father could not find her mother, he decided murdering Jennifer Petelczyc “would be the next best punishment”. Addressing Liesl Petelczyc, Jennifer’s daughter and Gretl’s sister, Ariel said their deaths were undeserved and apologised for failures that left the family unprotected.

She said she had warned police at least four times that her father posed a real and imminent threat and had access to firearms after helping her mother leave the family home. An internal police investigation found appropriate action was not taken, and eight officers have since faced disciplinary action.

Rowena Bombara, speaking publicly for the first time since the killings, told the court she was heartbroken over the deaths of her best friend and Gretl, whom she described as having a wonderful sense of humour and her whole life ahead of her. Acting state coroner Sarah Linton said there was “not a dry eye” in the room after the statement. Findings are expected next year.