A Victorian woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the manslaughter of her 85-year-old neighbor, Lolene Whitehand, whom she bashed, stuffed with a tea towel, and dumped in a river before going on a significant shopping spree with the victim's money. Milena Bogojevska, 51, received a non-parole period of six years, meaning she could be released in under four years, with 755 days already served.
Crime Details and Discovery
Lolene Whitehand was last seen alive on July 12, 2024, entering Bogojevska's home. Her body was discovered floating in the Maribyrnong River on July 14, 2024, wrapped in plastic sheets, with a tea towel rammed into her mouth and signs of blunt force trauma. An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be upper airway obstruction. The court heard that Bogojevska stole cash and jewelry from Ms. Whitehand's home shortly after the killing, then used the victim's debit card to fund a spree of online and in-person purchases, totaling nearly $1,000 in cash and $3,897 in other items.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Bogojevska pleaded guilty to manslaughter rather than murder. Justice Jacinta Forbes cited Bogojevska's early plea, difficult childhood, and health problems, including kidney failure, as factors in her sentencing decision. "Your sentence is not a reflection of the worth or value of Lolene Whitehand's life. The loss of her life and the grief caused by your act is immeasurable," Justice Forbes stated. The Director of Victoria's Office of Public Prosecutions, Brendan Kissane KC, did not proceed with a murder trial, reportedly due to unanswered questions regarding the precise cause of death. "Although you've pleaded guilty, you've not provided any explanation as to the circumstances in which Mrs Whitehand was killed," Justice Forbes noted, adding that Bogojevska's failure to explain her actions was consistent with a lack of remorse.
Community Reaction and Victim Impact
Ms. Whitehand's family and neighbors expressed profound grief and anger over the sentence. Her daughter told Bogojevska, "may you rot in hell," to which the killer responded, "You too." Ms. Whitehand's neighbor, Kirraly Schumann, described her as a grandmother figure and stated that her family had treated Ms. Whitehand as one of their own. "She would have given us her last dollar she had," Schumann told the court. Following the sentencing, Schumann told reporters that the charge should have remained murder, not manslaughter, as "it wasn’t an accident."
Victim impact statements detailed the devastating effect of Ms. Whitehand's violent death. Her son, a retired paramedic, who died just two days before the pre-sentence hearing, expressed ongoing nightmares and guilt over the manner of his mother's death. He noted his difficulty being near rivers and his imagined visions of his mother's body.
Bogojevska's Actions and Deception
Evidence presented in court included CCTV footage showing Bogojevska dragging her victim's body from a car boot and rolling it into the river, contradicting her claims of a back injury for which she received a disability support pension. Bogojevska initially lied to police, denying any involvement, claiming she had not seen Ms. Whitehand for days, and denying the use of her card. She even feigned a limp upon arrest, despite being observed walking normally in surveillance footage. Forensic evidence, including DNA linking both women found on gloves, blood in Bogojevska's bedroom, and in the car used to transport the body, proved damning. Her 15-year-old son, who was gaming with headphones on and unaware of the events, was interviewed and cleared of any involvement.
