Ivan kills two children in a bathtub, sets fire to an apartment to avenge her husband: At the trial, the gruesome details of the tragedy are revealed

In a recent legal proceeding, a former police officer named Ž. D., aged 63, was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for the murder of his wife, Ankica, who was once a tailor employed at the production company "Grand." The incident took place on June 2nd, 2024, in their family home located in Rakovica. This case has drawn significant public attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the long-standing issues within the couple's relationship.

The court also imposed additional penalties on Ž. D. for illegal possession of a repeating rifle, resulting in a total sentence of ten and a half years in prison. Alongside this, he received a fine of 50,000 dinars. The court decided to release him from custody pending the finalization of the verdict and potential transfer to serve his sentence. This decision came after a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crime.

The tragedy occurred amidst a prolonged period of marital discord between the couple, which had led them to consider divorce proceedings. According to the trial documents, the conflict escalated during an argument that reportedly began over lights being left on in the house and an electricity bill. During the altercation, Ž. D. used a baseball bat and a kitchen knife against his wife. She sustained numerous injuries, with the fatal wound being a stab to the neck.

Despite the prosecution's assertion that the killing was particularly cruel, the court ultimately classified the act as a regular murder committed under conditions of significantly reduced culpability and in a state of passion. Judge Goran Ramić explained that there was insufficient evidence to prove the crime was premeditated or executed in a particularly brutal manner. He noted that the attack with the bat lasted at least five minutes, but the injuries caused by it were not immediately life-threatening. After losing consciousness, the victim did not feel pain from the knife wounds, indicating that she was unaware of the subsequent attacks.

The court considered several mitigating factors when determining the sentence, including Ž. D.'s acknowledgment of guilt, his lack of prior convictions, and his personal circumstances. However, the judge emphasized the severity of the emotional impact on the family, stating that the burden of having killed one’s spouse would weigh heavily on Ž. D. throughout his life.

The emotional atmosphere during the sentencing was palpable, with Ž. D. visibly upset, crying, and covering his face with his hands. His daughter, who had not joined the criminal proceedings, wept continuously in the courtroom following the announcement of the verdict.

In another case, Robert Milošev, a man from the village of Bočar near Novi Bečej, was accused of brutally murdering his wife, Suzana Ćazić Milošev, in early June of the previous year. The incident shocked the local community and drew widespread media coverage. Suzana was described by neighbors as a kind-hearted and selfless woman who rarely complained about her life circumstances. Despite warnings from friends and family urging her to leave Robert, she remained loyal to him, believing things could improve.

According to investigators, the conflict erupted due to financial disputes and daily problems, possibly exacerbated by an incident involving their dog. When police arrived at the scene, they found Suzana's body in the bathtub, indicating the violence was extremely severe. The police were initially alerted to gunfire, but upon arrival, they discovered a much more horrifying situation than anticipated.

Robert Milošev had recently been released from prison in Austria, where he served time for drug-related offenses. While he was incarcerated, Suzana continued living in the house, working in the fields to support both her husband and his family financially. She even purchased a new dog while Robert was away, which may have contributed to further tensions.

In yet another tragic case, Ivana, a 33-year-old woman from Bratislava, stands accused of drowning her two children in a bathtub before setting fire to their apartment as an act of revenge against her partner. The incident occurred on August 19, 2025, when firefighters responded to a call about a fire and discovered the bodies of her two young children in the bathtub. According to the prosecution, Ivana lured her children into the bathroom under the pretense of taking a bath together. Initially, she attempted to kill them using a hairdryer submerged in water, but this method failed. Subsequently, she held both of their heads underwater until they stopped showing signs of life.

The prosecution believes that Ivana's motivation stemmed from fear that her ex-partner might gain custody of the children after their separation. A forensic psychologist testified that Ivana suffered from recurrent depressive disorder and personality disorders, which contributed to her inability to control her actions at the time of the crime. Despite these findings, the court did not question her criminal responsibility.

The trial will continue with the presentation of new evidence and testimony from remaining witnesses. As each of these cases unfolds, they highlight the complex interplay of personal relationships, mental health, and legal consequences, offering insight into the varied motivations behind such tragic events. Each story serves as a reminder of the profound impact of human emotions and decisions on the lives of others.