How family who fell victim to horrific murder-suicide in Perth had been haunted by tragedy – as heartbroken young woman is left an orphan grieving for her only sibling
The deaths of a Perth mother and daughter at the hands of angry gunmen have left a young woman the only surviving member of her family as she continues to mourn the loss of her father.
Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, were shot dead by Mark James Bombara, 63, at their Floreat home in Perth’s west on Friday before he turned the gun on himself.
Bombara had stormed the house in the quiet, upscale street looking for his ex-wife, a close friend of Jennifer.
It is understood he tied up the two women after being unable to find his ex, before making several threatening phone calls.
He and Jennifer died at the property while Gretl was rushed to hospital by paramedics, where she later died.
Friends said the family was still struggling to cope with the loss of their husband and father Jon to cancer in 2019.
They had also recently lost their beloved family dog Sunny, a golden Labrador.
Friday’s tragedy leaves daughter Liesl as the only surviving member of her immediate family.
Close family friend Daele Dobsen told Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that Ms Petelczyc was a devoted mother and complained that Gretl, who only recently got her P plates, was only just getting started in life.
Gretl, who recently got her P plates, was just getting started in life after completing high school and earning a bachelor’s degree in sports from the University of WA.
The deaths of Mrs Petelczyc and Gretl are the latest tragedy to befall the family after father and husband Jon (pictured with Mrs Petelczyc) died in 2019
Friday’s tragedy leaves daughter Liesl as the only surviving member of the immediate family
Ms Dobsen said she did not want Ms Petelczyc and Gretl to be remembered as “victims of domestic violence”.
“I want them to be remembered as wonderful members of our community and I am overwhelmed by their loss,” she said.
‘In my friendship with Jenny, I found her to be very kind and generous to myself and my family. Last year she even opened her home to my son’s 18th birthday party when I couldn’t find a venue.
“Jenny was a devoted mother who would do anything for her girls.”
The loss of Sunny also weighed heavily on the family, who were ambassadors for the Guide Dog Association, Ms Dobsen said.
“The family took Sunny on… for the Guide Dog Association, they ended up keeping her and loved her dearly, and were devastated when they lost her,” she said.
More recently, the family dog, Sunny, had also died, family friend Daele Dobsen told Daily Mail Australia
Ms Petelczyc and Bombara died at the scene and Gretl was seriously injured and later died in hospital
Gretl’s older sister Liesl, who police say was not at the property at the time of the incident, is the surviving member of the family
Ms Dobsen said Jennifer, Gretl and Liesl were still coming to terms with Jon’s death.
‘The girls and their mother were still adjusting to the loss of their father [and] husband who was a crucial member of the family,” Ms Dobsen said.
‘Jenny was mainly treading water and trying to steer the girls safely and guide them alone. There wasn’t a day she didn’t think about her husband.’
In 2019, Mrs. Petelczyc wrote in her husband’s eulogy that she did not know whether her heart would “recover or learn to live in pieces.”
“Jon, you were the love of my life, I don’t know if my broken heart will mend or learn to live in pieces,” she wrote.
‘If I could choose again, I would still choose you.
“Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Yours forever, Jenny.”
When another friend, Emme Wild, heard of the latest tragedy to befall the family, she said she was “devastated beyond belief.”
Ms Dobsen said Ms Petelczyc was a good friend and one she will miss dearly
Jenny Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, (pictured together) were shot by one Mark James Bombara, 63, at their Floreat home in Perth’s west on Friday in a double murder-suicide
Ms Dobsen said Gretl had excelled in life since graduating from St Hilda’s Anglican School in 2022 and starting her Bachelor of Sport at the University of WA.
“Gretl was just starting out in life and pursued her love of sport through her studies… She was a talented water polo player and worked part-time locally to earn her independence,” Ms Dobsen said.
At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, WA Police Inspector David Gorton revealed Bombara, a registered gun owner, visited the house looking for his ex-wife before shooting the two women.
WA Police Inspector David Gorton revealed Bombara (pictured), a registered gun owner, visited the house looking for his ex-wife before shooting the two women
WA Police Inspector David Gorton revealed Bombara, a registered gun owner, visited the house looking for his ex-wife before shooting the two women.
Det Insp Gorton also confirmed that Bombara’s ex-wife and a daughter were in the custody of the hit squad.
“We are offering them all possible support,” he said.
“It is clear they are very distressed by the circumstances and WA Police will refer them appropriately for counselling.”
Police were called to the house in the city’s northwest around 4:30 pm local time on Friday after the gunman opened fire.
There was a large police presence at the scene of the shooting last night.
A police helicopter was sent to the area and circled overhead at the height of the response.
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