# Floreat Double Murder Inquest Examines Control and Domestic Violence An inquest explores the events leading to the tragic Floreat double murder-suicide case. - **Source:** [ABC Australia – Just In](https://www.abc.net.au/news/justin) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a273c326-f3df-4424-8989-927cbb1cbcf0 ## Inquest into Floreat Murders An inquest is currently examining the circumstances surrounding the May 24, 2024, double murder-suicide in Floreat, Perth. Mark Bombara killed Jennifer and Gretl Petelczyc before taking his own life. The proceedings aim to uncover how the perpetrator accessed firearms and whether systemic failures occurred regarding his known history of domestic violence. ## Perpetrator Profile and Motive Friend Allan Maher described Mark Bombara as a controlling individual who struggled to accept his marriage breakdown. Bombara allegedly viewed his estranged wife, Rowena, as a trophy and felt humiliated by her departure. Despite his domineering personality, Maher claimed he was unaware of the lethal intent behind Bombara's erratic behavior. ## History of Coercive Control Lawyer Kathryn Kraus, representing Rowena and Ariel Bombara, stated the murders followed years of domestic abuse. This included financial and coercive control, which escalated significantly before the incident. Rowena and her daughter had fled their home and entered hiding, fearing for their lives while attempting to warn police about Bombara's threats. ## Premeditation and Tactical Preparation Evidence presented suggests the attack was planned. On the day of the murders, Bombara purchased cable ties and a rain jacket while traveling from his rural property to Perth. He bypassed agreed-upon stops with his friend, driving at 140 kilometers per hour to reach the Petelczyc home by 4:14 pm. ## Access to Lethal Weapons The inquest heard that while Allan Maher was shopping at a local IGA, Bombara likely accessed his farm gun safe. This allowed him to secure the firearms used to kill the victims. The ease of access to these weapons remains a critical focus for the coroner investigating the tragic event. ## Victims Targeted in Pursuit Acting State Coroner Sarah Linton noted that while the victims were not family members, the violence was committed in pursuit of them. Jennifer Petelczyc was a close friend of Rowena Bombara, who had sought refuge with her. The perpetrator specifically targeted this location to find his estranged wife during his rampage. ## Friend's Perspective on Events Allan Maher testified that he felt used by Bombara, who had provided him with a grocery list to create a distraction. Maher expressed regret, stating he was blissfully ignorant of the depth of the situation. He maintained that Bombara had never previously indicated a desire to physically harm his estranged wife. ## Future Inquest Proceedings The inquest will continue with testimony from medical professionals who treated Bombara in the weeks preceding the murders. These insights are expected to clarify his mental state and potential warning signs that were missed. The findings will be essential for understanding the broader implications of domestic violence and firearm safety protocols. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-10/floreat-shooting-mark-bombara-control-freak-marriage-breakdown/107365950 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._