The widow of a photographer killed in the Bondi terror attack has described it as “shocking” that his camera was allegedly stolen from the crime scene, after a fellow photographer was charged.
Peter Meagher, 61, was among the 15 victims killed when shots were fired at the Hanukkah By The Sea event at North Bondi on December 14.
His widow, Virginia Wynne-Markham, later realised the camera was missing from the belongings recovered from the scene and reported it to police.
More than five months later, Danny James Ridley, 35, was arrested at a home in Marayong in Western Sydney about 6.30am on Wednesday.
Police allege Ridley, who was also photographing the Hanukkah event, stole Meagher’s camera.
It is understood he pawned it for $800 days later.
During the search, police allegedly seized a camera, handcuffs, electronic devices and a small amount of white crystal powder.
Ridley was charged with larceny of property valued at more than $2000, disposing of stolen property, creating false information to a licensee, possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit and possessing a prohibited drug.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court on June 22.
Wynne-Markham said it was “shocking” to learn the camera had allegedly been taken.
“It was quite shocking to realise that someone had stolen a camera from a crime scene from someone who’d been brutally murdered,” she said.
She said she was grateful the camera had now been recovered.
“I thought it would not be possible, but thanks to the diligence and persistence of the NSW Police, that final little piece of Peter is making its way home, and I’m grateful,” she said.
Wynne-Markham initially believed the camera had been retained as police evidence before realising it was missing from Meagher’s other belongings, including his wedding ring, wallet, keys and phone.
After several weeks, police confirmed the camera was not in evidence before she formally lodged a missing property report.
She said she hoped to share the final photos Meagher took — capturing some of the victims’ final moments — with their families.
“I would love nothing more than to share those images with those family members who lost one,” she said.
“Peter was doing exactly what he loved doing. That was his chosen profession.
“And to have evidence of him doing what he was doing, that he loved doing, is amazing.
“And I’ll treasure that forever.”
