Zagi Kozarov charged with stalking amid coronial investigation into death of partner Zoran Vidovic

Amid an ongoing investigation into the tragic overseas death of much-loved Geelong sporting identity Zoran Vidovic, his partner has been charged with stalking offences.

Zagi Kozarov in 2019. Picture: Aaron Francis.

The solicitor girlfriend of a much-loved Geelong sporting identity who fell to his death from a Bali balcony has been charged with stalking offences.

Zagi Kozarov, who was holidaying with Zoran Vidovic when he died on January 28 last year, is listed to appear before Geelong Magistrates Court in August after being charged in recent days with stalking with intent to cause mental harm and stalking via email.

The police informant in the case is Detective Sergeant Adam Radley, who was tasked with assisting a coronial investigation into Mr Vidovic’s death that was launched following a request from his distraught family.

Ms Kozarov, 52, was not welcome at Mr Vidovic’s February 23 memorial service at GMHBA Stadium, where the 53-year-old was remembered by his daughters, Bella and Lulu, as a loving dad who died far too young.

A spokeswoman for the Coroners Court confirmed the investigation was ongoing, but inquest hearings would not be held.

“As this is an active investigation no further comment can be made,” she said.

There was an outpouring of grief following Zoran Vidovic’s death in Bali in January 2024.

Coroner Paul Lawrie held a public hearing in September that heard Ms Kozarov, 52, had not provided a statement in relation to what happened in the lead up to Mr Vidovic falling from an elevated lobby area at the up-market Apurva Kempinski Hotel in Nusa Dua.

The Apurva Kempinski Hotel is a five-star luxury resort in Bali. Picture: Supplied.

Her lawyer, Danielle Snell, acknowledged at the time it was unhelpful to the investigation but told the court the delay was due to her client’s mental health deteriorating following the incident, and she was not yet in a condition to provide a statement.

Mr Lawrie acknowledged Ms Kozarov’s circumstances, but asked Ms Snell to “use all your professional acumen that can be brought to bear”.

It is unclear whether Ms Kozarov has since submitted a statement, nor whether any CCTV captured the moments before Mr Vidovic fell.

Ms Snell told the hearing that Ms Kozarov suffered from complicated grief and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A month after his death, Ms Kozarov told media she was unable to pull Mr Vidovic back from the ledge.

Ms Kozarov’s eponymous legal firm specialises in criminal and family law, with offices in Geelong, Melbourne and Ballarat.

She previously spent time working within the Office of Public Prosecutions’ Specialist Sexual Offences Unit prosecuting sex criminals.

Ms Kozarov later sued the state government, receiving $435,000 in damages after she claimed regular exposure to graphic images and footage sparked a nervous breakdown and left her suffering severe and chronic PTSD.

Mr Vidovic was well-known and highly respected in Geelong sporting circles and had a longstanding connection to Bell Park cricket and football clubs.

The club has since introduced the Zoran Vidovic Junior Cricketer of the Year award, which was presented last month by Bella and Lulu in front of his mother, Rosa, and sister, Susanna.

Zoran Vidovic’s daughters Bella and Lulu speaking at his memorial service. Picture: Supplied.

An online fundraiser launched in the wake of his death raised almost $60,000.

One of the organisers, Paul Den Dryver, told the approximately 1000 people at Mr Vidovic’s memorial service that his close friend had a “profound ability to forge connections with people”.

“‘Zoc’ was loving, always friendly, softly spoken and greeted people with his warm eyes and his smile we all know so well,” he said.

Originally published as Zagi Kozarov charged with stalking amid coronial investigation into death of partner Zoran Vidovic