Ex-boyfriend previously charged over the shooting death of Gold Coast influencer to testify in coronial inquest

A coroner investigating the death of Gold Coast influencer Ivona Jovanovic has publicly stated that the purpose of the coronial inquest is not to ‘target’ the man previously charged with her manslaughter.

In 2019, emergency services were called to a home in Highland Park after it was reported that Ms Jovanovic, 27, had been shot in the chest.

She was pronounced dead by the time she arrived by ambulance at Gold Coast University Hospital.

The court was informed at a pre-inquest conference into her death held in Brisbane on Wednesday

A “known associate and friend” of Ms Jovanovic, Christos Panagakos, was previously charged with manslaughter.

The couple had been in a relationship before the shooting.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Kim Bryson, told the court that prosecutors ultimately dropped their case against Mr. Panagakos and his charges were dropped.

Ms Bryson said Mr Panagakos was initially questioned by police after returning to the house where Ms Jovanovic was shot.

Christos Panagakos was previously charged with manslaughter before the prosecutor dropped all charges

She said he told police he had made plans to go out to dinner with some friends the night she was shot, but refused to tell police who his friends were or what their plans entailed.

The court was told Mr Panagakos told police he was on the ground floor of the house – where his mother lived – when he ‘heard a loud bang’ and went upstairs to investigate.

Mr Panagakos told police he found Ms Jovanovic “lying on the floor” and that she was unresponsive.

He also told police that he saw a “long barreled pistol” next to Ms Jovanovic.

“He explained to police that he had left the scene before police arrived… (because) he didn’t want to be blamed for what had happened,” Ms Bryson said.

Ivona Jovanovic died of a gunshot wound to the chest

The court was told that the police had spoken to several people as part of the ‘extensive’ investigation.

“Some of them were cooperative, some of them were not,” Ms Bryson said.

“Other individuals identified as persons of interest declined to make police statements.”

The court was told a bag was also allegedly ‘dropped’ at the home.

Ms Bryson said an autopsy showed Ms Jovanovic had died from a gunshot wound to the chest, but it could not be determined from what range the gun had been fired.

She said it was in the public interest to hold a judicial inquiry into Ms Jovanovic’s death.

Coroner Donald MacKenzie told the court he wanted to make it abundantly clear that the purpose of the inquest was solely to discover the truth surrounding Ms Jovanovic’s death.

He stated that the coroner’s role was not to prosecute, but to find answers.

“My main concern is twofold, but it is a shared concern, and that is, firstly, determining the cause of death and (secondly) it is not an attempt to end a prosecution that has been dropped,” said the Mr MacKenzie.

“It is an open investigation into the investigation and for that reason I do not want Christos Panagakos to be seen to be a target for his questionable role, whatever that ultimately turns out to be, in this death from a criminal perspective.”

Mr Panagakos has been encouraged to seek legal assistance ahead of the coronal investigation

However, Mr MacKenzie said it is important to note that Mr Panagakos must be legally represented as he was previously charged in Ms Jovanovic’s death.

“Nevertheless, he must be aware that evidence will be placed (and) in terms of natural justice he must be given the opportunity to respond,” Mr MacKenzie said.

‘We heard that a lawyer was ready to act for him, but we have not heard from that lawyer.

“I wanted to make that clear from the beginning so that it is very clear to everyone what the purpose of this investigation is and we are very concerned about the natural justice being meted out to Mr. Panagakos.”

The coronal examination will take place from November 18 and is expected to last three days.

Sixteen witnesses will be called to testify, including Mr Panagakos, who has always maintained his innocence.