A judge has sentenced Gordon Steven Ivankovic, 57, to a minimum of five years in prison for the manslaughter of his 81-year-old mother, Marija. He initially faced a murder charge, but the plea bargain resulted in a lesser charge after he admitted guilt.
Marija’s friends discovered her body on the kitchen floor of her Maribyrnong home in Melbourne’s north-west after they arrived to spend the evening with her, unaware that she had been killed earlier that day. The incident occurred on June 12, 2023, after Ivankovic went to assist her with a mattress. A disagreement escalated into violence, leading Ivankovic to apply pressure to her face and neck, causing her death. After the assault, he failed to seek help, resulting in her friends finding her five hours later.
For six days, Ivankovic avoided contact with his sister, who had tried to reach him after their mother’s death. He returned to the crime scene the next day, expressing concern for the welfare of others in the house while attempting to enter despite the police presence. Ivankovic fled the state using a train ticket booked under a different name to Sydney, before making his way to Brisbane, where he sought help from a homelessness service to return to Melbourne.
He was apprehended in South Yarra on June 23 and charged with murder before eventually pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The court heard that police had been called to the Ivankovic home numerous times over the years due to conflicts between the mother and son.
During his sentencing, Justice Jane Dixon considered Ivankovic’s troubled childhood, mental health issues, and drug addiction, ultimately handing down a maximum sentence of eight years, with eligibility for parole in five years, and potentially less than four with time served. The court noted the spontaneous nature of his actions and acknowledged his remorse over the loss of his mother, who had been his primary support.
Justice Dixon remarked on the trust Marija had for him, stating that she should have felt safe in her own home, and outlined the emotional burden of his actions, as he now faces life without family support. The case stands as a tragic reminder of domestic violence’s profound effects on families.
Support for those affected by such incidents is available through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).