Police charge Christos Panagakos with manslaughter over Gold Coast woman Ivona Jovanovic’s death

The legal team acting for the man charged over the death of Ivona Jovanovic have questioned what he has been accused of, arguing the evidence suggests she shot herself.

A court has heard a startling claim about the shooting death of Ivona Jovanovic.

Bikie associate Christos Panagakos appeared briefly in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this afternoon charged with her manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He looked smaller than he has appeared in social media posts.

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?”

But 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.

Christos Panagakos and Ivona Jovanovic. Photo: Supplied

The matter was adjourned until February 22 with Panagakos remanded in custody.

Outside court Mr Gatenby said his client intended to contest the charges.

Ms Jovanovic’s family declined to comment outside court.

Mr Panagakos was charged with the death on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred on September 8, 2019 at Renfrew Drive in Highland Park where the 27-year-old was shot in the abdomen around 8.30pm.

Detectives on Thursday said they had charged a man with manslaughter following a homicide investigation into the incident.

“Around 8.30pm on Sunday September 8 2019, police were called to a residence on Renfrew Drive following reports of a woman with a gunshot wound,” police said.

“A 27-year-old Labrador woman was transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where she died a short time later.”

Ivona Jovanovic.

Police at the time alleged a group who had been with Ms Jovanovic at the time of the shooting had fled the house in what they slammed as ‘disgraceful’ circumstances.

“I’m sure of one of them had been injured in that manner they would expect as much assistance as everyone there,” Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith said at the time.

“Whilst they called the ambulance, there’s a lot of first-aid that could have been rendered at the time that may or may not have made a difference – we’ll never know.”

Those at the house allegedly included Ms Jovanovic’s ex-boyfriend, an alleged bikie gang associate.