NCA bombing survivor Peter Wallis dead at 66

Former National Crime Authority lawyer Peter Wallis, who suffered horrific injuries in the 1994 blast, has died after suffering a stroke at his Ballarat home.

• NCA bombing suspect Domenic Perre charged again over 1994 blast
• Bombing victim elated by ‘breakthrough’
• The fatal 1994 NCA bombing in Adelaide

Peter Wallis, the lawyer who cheated death in the 1994 National Crime Authority bombing, has died in Ballarat.

Mr Wallis, who suffered horrific injuries in the bombing, died following a severe stroke. He was 66.

For the past 24 years Mr Wallis had lived with not just the bombing’s lasting physical injuries, which included the loss of an eye and severe burn scarring, but he also suffered psychological injuries that he overcame.

National Crime Authority bombing survivor Peter Wallis last year.

Peter Wallis in 1995.

During that time he revealed to The Advertiser on several occasions his one desire before he died was to see justice served over the bombing that claimed the life of his friend and colleague, WA detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen.

In his last interview with The Advertiser in March, the day accused man Domenic Perre was charged with the murder of Detective Sgt Bowen and his attempted murder, Mr Wallis spoke of his “elation’’ at the breakthrough in the case after so long.

Perre, 61, was arrested following a 2½-year cold case investigation that involved dozens of Major Crime detectives, analysts and forensic officers.

Last week Perre suffered minor injuries when he was assaulted by another inmate in the Adelaide Remand Centre.

“It is a bit hard to take it in, it has been a long time,’’ Mr Wallis said following Perre’s arrest in March.

Peter Wallis is carried out of National Crime Authority building in Waymouth Street after the explosion in 1994.

Domenic Perre is led into Adelaide Magistrates Court earlier this year.

Geoffrey Bowen was killed in the 1994 NCA bombing.

“I now realise that is a bit misplaced because there is a long way to go, but I was very happy.”

Sgt Bowen’s former wife Jane Bowen-Sutton said Mr Wallis was “a lovely man’’.

“I am very upset. I am heartbroken that he will not be here,’’ she said.

Ms Bowen-Sutton said Mr Wallis was a firm family friend prior to the bombing and since then they had helped one another cope.

“Peter wasn’t just one of Geoff’s work associates, he was a friend, he was a lovely man,’’ she said.

“It is very sad. I am heartbroken that Peter is not going to see it through with the rest of us.’’

Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber SC said Mr Wallis’ death “will not impact upon the decision to prosecute Mr Perre.’’