NCA Bomber Domenic Perre Refused Medication Before Death, Coroner Finds
Domenic Perre, the National Crime Authority bomber, died in custody in 2023 due to complications related to lung disease, despite refusing medical care and threatening to "cough blood" onto doctors. A State Coroner found that Perre's refusal to eat and take medication contributed to his death.
A State Coroner has found that Domenic Perre, the National Crime Authority (NCA) bomber, refused medication and threatened to "cough blood" onto doctors in the lead up to his death in custody.
Perre died in 2023, less than a year into his life sentence for the 1994 mail bombing of the NCA's Adelaide headquarters, which killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and injured lawyer Peter Wallis.
Refusal of Medical Care
SA State Coroner Naomi Kereru handed down the findings of her inquest, mandatory for any death in custody. She said a post-mortem examination found Perre, 66, died of complications related to lung disease among other known health issues including heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
"Mr Perre explained to staff that he wished to make things difficult for them," the coroner said. "Many notices of concern and incident reports were recorded … however there was little that could be done in light of Mr Perre's near total lack of cooperation."
Perre was admitted to Royal Adelaide Hospital in April 2023 with pneumonia and died there the following month. At the hospital, Perre "made threats to cough blood onto prison and health staff" but despite the threats "staff continued to provide care to him".
Family Concerns and Investigation Findings
The coroner said Perre's family "raised concerns" about his diet and "the healthcare provided to him" but she concluded that the prisoner was "treated appropriately at all times".
"I am satisfied that Mr Perre’s refusal to eat was as a result of his choice to obstinate and not as a result of any deficiency in the actual food itself, which was provided with the modifications required for his conditions," she said.
"His refusal to permit blood glucose monitoring, his spitting out of prescribed medication, and his deliberate interference with the proper administration of medications meant that it was not possible to keep him well."
The State Coroner made no further recommendations as part of the inquest.