Convicted NCA bomber Domenic Perre was ‘coughing blood’ before his death, family says

Sources close to Domenic Perre say his health had been declining for months before his death, as family reveals the 66-year-old’s final moments in hospital.

NCA bomber Domenic Perre’s health had been deteriorating for months before his death, sources close to him say, with his final days spent inside a hospital room.

Perre, 66, died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital just after 11pm on Monday night – 213 days after he was jailed for murder and attempted murder.

A source close to the infamous bomber, who suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery in July 2022, claim his health – including heart and lung issues – had been declining for more than six months leading up to his death.

“He has been in ongoing battles with his health and had suffered serious chest pains in the last six months,” they said.

“It got to the point where he couldn’t stand in the shower. He was in so much pain and had been coughing up blood in the visiting room.”

Family say Perre’s health had been declining for months prior to his death. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

Perre outside the Adelaide pre-release centre in 2001.

Perre’s health took a severe turn at the start of April, they said, and he was transferred from the infirmary at Yatala Labour Prison to the RAH on April 21.

He died from pneumonia-related complications on Monday, May 8, with his family believing he needed earlier treatment.

“He never really recovered from there … he had no chance,” the source said.

In a statement provided to The Advertiser, Perre’s family thanked nursing staff and doctors at the RAH for their care and said the 66-year-old “peacefully passed away, surrounded by loved ones”.

Perre’s death is being investigated as a death in custody and will be the subject of a mandatory coronial inquest.

The Department of Corrections said it would fully cooperate with the coronial inquiry and worked actively to support health services delivered by the South Australian Prison Health Service.

Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen, who was killed in the bombing.

Smoke billows from 12th floor of the NCA building in Waymouth St after the parcel bomb sent by Domenic Perre exploded. Picture: Chris Mangan

The damage caused by the parcel bomb.

“We are collectively committed to the principles of health equity, which promote a level of health provision for prisoners that is comparable to that available to public health clients in the general community,” a spokesperson said.

Perre received a 37-year non-parole period following his convictions for murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis in the 1994 parcel bomb explosion.

While full hearings had taken place for Perre’s appeal, the Court of Appeal is now unlikely to hand down its judgment on the appeal.