Ivona Jovanovic, a 27-year-old Australian influencer, tragically died after being shot in her ex-boyfriend Christos Panagakos’ home on September 8, 2019. Now, six years later, a coroner’s report has concluded that her death was a tragic accident, with no evidence of criminal intent or criminal negligence to support charges like manslaughter.
The Incident
According to reports from 9News, 7News, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Jovanovic was at Panagakos’ house with several friends, preparing to leave for dinner when the incident occurred. Police arrived to find neither Panagakos nor the firearm at the scene, and the weapon was never recovered.
Panagakos reportedly fled the scene, claiming he left because he didn’t want to be blamed for the shooting. His mother, Michelle Panagakos, had called the police, stating that she heard two loud bangs and discovered Jovanovic in the kitchen at the top of a flight of stairs. She claimed that her son was on the stairs at the time and that a cowboy-style gun was found at Jovanovic’s feet.
Coroner’s Findings
Coroner Donald MacKenzie dismissed the account provided by Panagakos’ mother, describing it as “risible” (meaning laughable or absurd). In his findings, MacKenzie stated that Jovanovic was killed when a handgun discharged from a bag Panagakos was carrying while he tripped on the stairs facing her.
Panagakos was initially charged with manslaughter in 2021, but the charges were later dropped. He claimed that he didn’t remember much of the evening due to being under the influence of methamphetamines at the time. However, he maintained that he did not have a gun on him.
Eyewitness Testimony
One of Panagakos’ friends, Daine Walker, who was present that evening, was a key witness. Walker initially told investigators, “I tripped” and “it just went off” in reference to the shooting.
However, he later testified that he couldn’t remember giving the statement, also citing methamphetamine use at the time. Coroner MacKenzie suggested that Walker had likely been advised by a lawyer to avoid having his statement used against Panagakos.
Accident, Not Criminal Negligence
Although MacKenzie concluded that Panagakos was responsible for Jovanovic’s death, he found that the incident was essentially an accident. According to the coroner, there was insufficient evidence of criminal negligence to justify charges of involuntary manslaughter.
He added that no meaningful recommendations could be made in the case at this time but left open the possibility for the inquest to be reopened if new evidence emerged.
MacKenzie acknowledged the ongoing grief caused by the lack of clarity regarding Jovanovic’s death, stating, “The lack of clarity about how she died can only have aggravated that grief.”