In Melbourne, Australia, the body of 85-year-old Lolene Whitehand was discovered in the Maribyrnong River by a fisherman on July 14, 2024. Milena Bogojevska, 51, admitted to the manslaughter charge in connection with Whitehand’s death during a pre-sentence hearing in the Supreme Court of Victoria on June 18.
The decision not to pursue a murder trial by the Director of Victoria’s Office of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane KC, was likely due to uncertainties surrounding Whitehand’s exact cause of death. Evidence presented in court indicated that Whitehand had suffered severe physical trauma before being suffocated and disposed of in the river, with a tea towel forced into her mouth.
Whitehand was last seen entering Bogojevska’s residence on Glamis Street two days before her body was found. The victim’s body was wrapped in plastic, with a bag labeled with the name of Bogojevska’s son, Anton, covering her head. An autopsy confirmed that Whitehand died from airway obstruction and blunt force injuries to her face.
Bogojevska, who had been receiving a disability pension, was implicated in the crime through forensic evidence and CCTV footage showing her handling Whitehand’s body and using her belongings for personal gain. Despite initially denying involvement, Bogojevska was eventually arrested and is awaiting sentencing.
Neighbors of Whitehand expressed shock and sadness over the incident, with one neighbor stating that Bogojevska should face a murder charge instead of manslaughter. The prosecution suggested that the crime was driven by greed. Bogojevska is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
