FATAL SHOOTING BREAKTHROUGH
Panagakos to be tried over death of ex-girlfriend
A BIKIE associate has been charged after the death of his ex-girlfriend Ivona Jovanovic more than a year on from when she was allegedly left to die from a gunshot wound. Christos Panagakos (inset) was arrested yesterday and later appeared in court charged with her manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm.
A BIKIE associate has been charged over the death of his exgirlfriend Ivona Jovanovic more than a year after she was allegedly left to die from a gunshot wound.
Christos Panagakos was arrested by detectives at Woodford prison on Thursday morning and taken to Brisbane Watchhouse.
Ms Jovanovic, 27, was shot in the stomach at Panagakos’ mother’s home in Highland Park on September 8, 2019.
Police allege Panagakos, a Mongols bikie associate and Ms Jovanovic’s ex-boyfriend, fled with two others despite her injuries, while his mother phoned for help.
Panagakos appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon charged with her manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm.
His lawyer Michael Gatenby said he would not be making an application for bail because it was unclear what the exact allegations against his client actually were.
Mr Gatenby said it was not clear from the material before the court who discharged the firearm which killed Ms Jovanovic.
Magistrate Noel Nunan responded: “Well he’s charged with unlawfully killing her so it’s a reasonable assumption they’re saying it’s him isn’t it?”
Mr Gatenby said that was not his understanding. “Reading between the lines, I think the allegation is that the deceased woman has in fact shot herself and that it’s the mere ownership (of the firearm) in inverted commas that’s said to constitute this case,” he said.
“I’ve never seen this offence charged like that.”
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Hayley Kipps said she would seek further details from the arresting officer. The matter was adjourned until February 22 with Panagakos remanded in custody.
Outside court Mr Gatenby said his client intended to contest the charges.
Gold Coast police Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn earlier told media: “(Ms Jovanovic) received a gunshot wound to the stomach area and she subsequently died of that injury. Our subsequent investigation has led us to the point where we’ve charged that male person with manslaughter because we don’t consider there was any intent there.
“It’s extremely satisfying for police and of course for the victim’s family that this arrest has been made today. These types of investigations we’ll never give up on.
“It’s been a long period of time since this offence occurred. It’s been strongly investigated since by members of the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch in partnership with Queensland’s Homicide Investigation Unit and now we take the matter before the court.”