The tragic death of Australian influencer Ivona Jovanovic has sparked confusion and debate for several years. Shot in her ex-partner’s home, the circumstances surrounding her death were unclear, leading to intense media coverage and legal investigations.
Six years later, a coroner has concluded that her death was an unfortunate accident, not the result of criminal intent or negligence. This conclusion, however, has left many with lingering questions.
The Incident: What Happened on September 8, 2019?
Ivona Jovanovic, 27, was visiting her ex-partner, Christos Panagakos, at his home on the night of September 8, 2019. Along with some friends, they were preparing to leave for dinner. In a tragic turn of events, Jovanovic was shot.
When the police arrived at the scene, they found neither Panagakos nor the firearm. The gun was never recovered, and Panagakos had already left the house.
The Claims and Investigation
Christos Panagakos’ mother, Michelle, called the police after hearing two loud bangs. She found Jovanovic at the top of a staircase in the kitchen. Michelle reported seeing a gun on the floor near Jovanovic’s feet, suggesting that Ivona had brought the weapon with her.
However, this version of events was later described as “risible” by the coroner, who found no evidence to support it.
Panagakos had initially been charged with manslaughter in 2021, but the case was dropped. During the trial, Panagakos admitted he had taken methamphetamines that night, which made him forget many details of the evening. He claimed he did not have the gun in his possession when the shooting occurred.
Coroner’s Findings
Coroner Donald MacKenzie, who reviewed the case, concluded that Jovanovic’s death was the result of an accidental discharge of a handgun. MacKenzie stated that the gun fired when Panagakos tripped while carrying the weapon in a bag.
He emphasized that there was no evidence of criminal intent or negligence, which would be required to charge someone with manslaughter in Australia.
One of the key pieces of evidence was a statement from one of Panagakos’ friends, Daine Walker. Walker reported that he heard Panagakos say, “I tripped,” after the gun went off.
However, Walker later testified that he could not remember making the statement due to his own drug use that night, leading to doubts about the reliability of his testimony.
Despite these complications, MacKenzie confirmed that while Panagakos caused Jovanovic’s death, it was an accident. He also noted that the evidence was insufficient to pursue criminal charges for involuntary manslaughter.
The case of Ivona Jovanovic’s death remains a heartbreaking example of how a simple accident can lead to tragedy. The coroner’s findings confirmed that her death was not the result of criminal behavior but rather a tragic mistake.
While the legal system has cleared Panagakos of any criminal wrongdoing, the unanswered questions surrounding the incident have left a deep sense of grief for those involved. The possibility of reopening the case if new evidence emerges still offers a faint hope for clarity in the future.
