Woman's fury after sister, 27, abandoned and left to die in Gold Coast shooting
The younger sister of a 27-year-old woman who was left to die on the Gold Coast says she can’t “fathom” how someone could leave her to die.
Ivona Jovanovic was shot in a Highland Park home on Sunday when she was reportedly preparing to go out with friends.
Police were called to the residence about 8.30pm after reports of a woman with a gunshot wound.
Ms Jovanovic was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she died a short time later.
Her little sister was visibly distraught when she spoke to 9News.
“I can’t even fathom how anyone could do that... She’s helpless,” Annette said.
People also at the residence at the time of the shooting fled the scene, according to police.
Annette told 9NEWS, the situation made her “so mad”.
On Tuesday, police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia a 27-year-old man was taken into custody when he returned home about 1am on Monday.
He allegedly fled the property along with four other people after the shooting.
Various media outlets have identified Christos Panagakos as the man in police custody.
Panagakos is an alleged associate of the Barbaro underworld family and the Mongols bikie gang.
There is no suggestion he is involved with Ms Jovanovic’s death and he has not been charged.
Police have said it was “disgraceful” people fled the scene, instead of helping Ms Jovanovic.
“There’s a lot of first aid that could have been rendered at the time that may or may not have made a difference,” Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said.
People are calling upon people who fled to come forward and “give their versions” of events”.
The family is raising money to cover the funeral costs.
More than $24,000 has been raised so far at the time of publication and Annette said she was thankful to everyone who has “shown support”.
“Fundraising towards the tragic death of my beautiful sister, she was fatally shot in the chest with not a chance to survive,” the Go Fund Me set up by Annette says.
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