An Australian Influencer died from a single gunshot wound in 2019. Her former boyfriend allegedly shot her, but authorities have ruled her death as accidental.
According to a report by Australian outlet 9 News, 27-year-old Ivona Jovanovic died on September 8, 2019. She passed away at Gold Coast University Hospital from a gunshot wound she suffered 2-hours prior. The outlet explains Jovanovic was shot at her former boyfriend’s mother’s house.
Coroner Donald MacKenzie presented his findings in court and concluded her boyfriend, Christos Panagakos, shot Jovanovic that night. However, Mackenzie explained, “On the evidence before me, this was essentially an accident. His criminal negligence could not be established to warrant a prosecution for involuntary manslaughter.”
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the coroner continued, “Considering the evidence … I cannot make any meaningful recommendations.” The court previously heard that Jovanovic was about to head out for dinner with friends before she was shot. Shortly after the incident, everyone at the home left the scene, and somebody removed the weapon. Per 9 News, Panagakos said he left because he did not want authorities to blame him for the shooting. The gun has never been recovered.
The Boyfriend Was Arrested In 2021 But Was Soon Released
There are conflicting reports about what happened in September 2019. ABC explains that Panagakos was arrested for manslaughter in 2021. However, the charge was later dropped. He has reportedly always maintained his innocence and also told the court he “did not remember much” as he took drugs earlier that night.
The coroner said the former boyfriend’s retelling of events could “easily be rejected.” He also alleged that some witnesses, including Panagakos mother, were “not telling the truth or were obfuscating its discovery.” Mackenzie reportedly added, “One can understand her motive in trying to protect her son.” He ultimately labeled her as “not a witness of credit.”
Mackenzie reportedly said Ivona Jovanovic was a “happy, kind and caring person,” and her death will have a lasting impact on those close to her. Per 9 News, he also added, “The lack of clarity about how she died can only have aggravated that grief.” The outlet explains that while the case is closed for now, the inquest could be reopened in the future if new evidence is brought forward.