SA Police reveal establishment of Taskforce Cornus to investigate NCA bombing in Waymouth St, 1994

POLICE have revealed they are again investigating the fatal National Crime Authority bombing with the establishment of a specialist taskforce.

POLICE have revealed they are again investigating the fatal National Crime Authority bombing with the establishment of a specialist taskforce.

Taskforce Cornus — led by the Major Crime Investigation Branch — is conducting an intensive review into the March 2, 1994, explosion that killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen.

NCA bombing victim Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen with his wife Jane.

Det-Sgt Bowen died when a parcel bomb exploded in the NCA office on the top floor of the CPS Credit Union building on Waymouth St, in the Adelaide CBD, about 9.15am.

Peter Wallis, a lawyer employed by the NCA, was also seriously injured.

NCA bombing survivor Peter Wallis.

A coronial inquest conducted by then State Coroner Wayne Chivell found the parcel bomb was sent by Domenic Perre, whom Det-Sgt Bowen was involved in investigating over a drugs matter.

Mr Perre was arrested on March 11, 1994, and charged with the murder of Det-Sgt Bowen and attempted murder of Mr Wallis.

Then Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul Rofe, tendered a nolle prosequi indicating that he did not intend to proceed with the charges.

Charges were dropped against NCA bombing suspect Domenic Perre.

SA Police on Tuesday revealed Taskforce Cornus has spent the past seven months thoroughly investigating all aspects of the crime and judicial process that followed.

They said the findings of the review would remain confidential and would not be disclosed.

“Earlier this year additional resources were provided to Taskforce Cornus, with the inquiry now a major active investigation that involves significant resources,” police said in a statement.

“In addition to investigating who is responsible for this crime, a significant focus will also be on any witness who withheld or fabricated information in the past.”

The scene of the NCA bombing in the CPS Credit Union building on Waymouth Street.

Police said there had been several anonymous calls to Crime Stoppers since 1994 and ask that those people call again on Tuesday between 6pm and 9pm to speak directly to investigators.

A $1 million reward is available for information leading to the conviction of the person or people responsible.

Task force detectives had spoken with Det-Sgt’s Bowen’s widow, Jane, and Mr Wallis in recent days.

Both had expressed their gratitude for the renewed investigation but would not be making any further public comment at this time, they said.

“My family is very happy that there is a renewed investigation and will not be commenting further at this time,” Jane Bowen-Sutton said through police.

Anyone with information about the National Crime Authority bombing should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.