Gordon Ivankovic, 57, to spend next three years in prison over manslaughter of mother Marija Ivankovic

Marija Ivankovic, 81, trusted and loved her drug-addicted son despite repeated acts of violence which ended in her death at her Maribyrnong home, a court has heard.

Marija Ivankovic died in her Maribyrnong home after she was suffocated in a spontaneous outburst of violence by her son in 2023. Picture: Facebook

An elderly woman trusted and loved her drug-addicted son despite his repeated acts of violence which ended in her death, a court has heard.

Gordon Steven Ivankovic, 57, will spend at least the next three years in prison over the manslaughter of his 81-year-old mother Marija Ivankovic whom he suffocated in a spontaneous outburst of violence in her Maribyrnong home on June 12, 2023.

Supreme Court judge Jane Dixon said Ms Ivankovic’s life had been marred with tragedy – including the deaths of her youngest son and husband – and that she remained loyal to Ivankovic despite his lifelong drug habit and numerous acts of violence against her.

“Despite frequent conflict in your relationship with your mother, she continued to love you and kept in close contact with you,” Justice Dixon said.

Gordon Ivankovic will spend the next three years behind bars for the manslaughter of his mother Maria Ivankovic, 81. Picture: NewsWire

“Your mother trusted you. She was elderly and vulnerable and you assaulted her in her home where she should have been safe.”

Ms Ivankovic had asked her son to come over to help flip her mattress the day he killed her.

Ivankovic arrived at her home about 12:26pm, where an argument broke out over clogged roof gutters.

Over the course of just 16 minutes, Ivankovic grabbed and smothered his mother before leaving her to die on her kitchen floor.

Assuming the false names Steven Gordon and John Kovic, the killer fled to Sydney and Queensland and left numerous messages on his mother’s phone, feigning ignorance over her death.

“Mum, it’s me. Call me back,” he said in one message.

Ms Ivankovic’s death was initially treated as non-suspicious as police did not identify signs of violence or struggle at the scene.

Gordon Ivankovic is led into Victorian Supreme Court for sentencing. Picture: NewsWire

However, an autopsy later revealed injuries to the Croatian grandmother’s upper airways and her son was arrested by homicide squad detectives 11 days later.

“You should have called for medical assistance. You failed to show regard for your mother’s wellbeing and engaged in a range of avoidant behaviours,” Justice Dixon said.

Initially charged with murder, Ivankovic later pleaded to the downgraded offence of manslaughter because it was agreed by prosecution and defence that Ivankovic did not intend to kill or even seriously hurt his mother.

Justice Dixon said his moral culpability was not high due to his lifelong struggle with mental health and drug addiction issues which spurred from difficult childhood experiences.

The court heard he feels shame and remorse for killing his mother and has no family left in his life.

He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years, which takes into account 619 days already served behind bars.