Family's message 'rot in hell' to remorseless killer

Melbourne resident Milena Bogojevska has been handed a maximum eight-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of 85-year-old grandmother Lolene Whitehand. Ms Whitehand's body was discovered partially wrapped in plastic in the Maribyrnong River in July 2024. Bogojevska, who had a neighborly relationship with the victim, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after initially being charged with murder.

The victim's daughter told the court, "May you rot in hell," following Bogojevska's sentencing. Justice Jacinta Forbes expressed the devastation the loss of Ms Whitehand caused to her family and neighbors, who treated her as an extended family member. The judge stated that Bogojevska showed no remorse or explanation for her actions, describing her acts as "unexplained and inexplicable."

The court heard that Ms Whitehand was found entering Bogojevska's home, where she was assaulted and suffocated with a tea towel. Bogojevska's 15-year-old son was present but unaware of the attack. Justice Forbes noted that although Bogojevska did not intend to kill the elderly woman, she had packed a tea towel down her throat. The timing of additional injuries inflicted on Ms Whitehand is unclear.

Bogojevska spent over $4,000 of the victim's stolen money on items such as shoes, an iPad, and a microwave, and attempted to steal a trolley of goods from Coles after the incident. She was arrested after Ms Whitehand's belongings were found in her home. Bogojevska has already served 755 days in custody, meaning her earliest possible parole date could be in July 2030, with six years of her sentence being non-parole.