Ivona Jovanovic death: Christos Panagakos charged with manslaughter

An accused bikie associate was filmed putting a gun down the pants of an unconscious man months before the shooting death of his former girlfriend on the Gold Coast, police allege.

An accused bikie associate was filmed putting a gun down the pants of an unconscious man months before the shooting death of his former girlfriend, police allege.

Christos Panagakos, 28, has been charged with the manslaughter of Ivona Jovanovic at his mother’s Highland Park home.

Ms Jovanovic, 27, was fatally shot in the stomach on September 8, 2019 in what was supposed to be a night out with friends, police say.

Police allege Panagakos, an accused Mongols bikie associate and Ms Jovanovic’s ex-boyfriend, fled with two others despite her injuries, while his mother phoned for help.

Ms Jovanovic was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital but later died.

Panagakos was arrested by homicide and Gold Coast detectives at Woodford Prison on January 28 and charged with manslaughter and unlawfully possessing a firearm. The exact details surrounding her death are not yet known.

Christos Panagakos and Ivona Jovanovic. Photo: Supplied

The Bulletin can reveal a video was allegedly found on Panagakos’ phone which has become crucial to the police case.

Police allege the footage shows Panagakos shoving a firearm down the pants of an unconscious man in his garage. The footage was alleged to have been taken in July, less than two months before Ms Jovanovic’s death.

Police allege that on the night of Ms Jovanovic’s death, Christos Panagakos was seen with a large revolver, similar to the weapon seen in the video. It is further alleged the weapon matches the description of the firearm seen next to Ms Jovanovic.

In a court hearing after Panagakos’ arrest in January, his lawyer Michael Gatenby said it was unclear what the exact allegations against his client actually were, and that it was unclear who discharged the firearm which killed Ms Jovanovic.

“ … 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 told Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Outside of court in January, Mr Gatenby said his client intended to contest the charges.

Police are yet to find the weapon and are appealing for public help to help locate it.

Panagakos will next appear in court on April 20.

JANUARY 28: PANAGAKOS CHARGED BY DETECTIVES

A BIKIE associate has been charged over the death of his ex-girlfriend 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.

He has been charged with the Gold Coast woman’s manslaughter.

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The arrest is a major breakthrough for police after a 16-month investigation. The Jovanovic family have been desperate to learn of what happened the night she died.

Ms Jovanovic, 27, was shot in the stomach at Panagakos’ mother’s home in Highland Park on September 8 2019.

Ivona Jovanovic died in September 2019. Picture: Facebook

Christos Panagakos outside the Brisbane Supreme Court at age 23. Picture: Supplied.

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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 was previously arrested on the night of her death but released without charge.

Gold Coast police Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old Gold Coast man.

“(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,” Insp Ahearn said.

Ivona Jovanovic. Picture: Instagram.

“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.”

Ms Jovanovic’s family has been notified.

Panagakos is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The firearm remains outstanding and police are appealing anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Ivona Jovanovic death: Christos Panagakos charged with manslaughter