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

A remorseless woman who suffocated a grandmother and dumped her body in a Melbourne river has been told to "rot in hell" by the victim's family.

Milena Bogojevska, 51, struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to the manslaughter of 85-year-old Lolene Whitehand, whose bound body was found partially wrapped in plastic in the Maribyrnong River in July 2024.

Bogojevska, Ms Whitehand's neighbour, was initially charged with murder but struck a deal with prosecutors to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

On Thursday she was sentenced to a maximum of eight years' jail in the Supreme Court.

At the end of the hearing Ms Whitehand's daughter told her, "may you rot in hell."

"You too," the killer replied.

With time already served, Bogojevska could walk free on parole in four years' time.

In sentencing, Justice Jacinta Forbes said Ms Whitehand's death had devastated her family and neighbours who regarded her like an extended family member.

"She would have given us her last dollar if she had to," neighbour Kirraly Schumann said earlier this year.

Bogojevska had shown no remorse since the killing, the judge said, nor given an explanation for why she attacked Ms Whitehand.

"Your acts are unexplained and inexplicable," she said.

"The loss of her life and the grief caused by your act is immeasurable."

The court heard a neighbour saw Ms Whitehand entering Bogojevska's home, two doors down from her own in West Footscray.

Once inside, a visiting Ms Whitehand was assaulted and suffocated with a tea towel, causing her death.

Bogojevska's 15-year-old son was in a nearby room but was wearing headphones and was oblivious to the attack, the court heard.

Killer went on spending spree after fatal assault

Justice Forbes said the prosecution had accepted that Bogojevska did not intend to kill the elderly woman, despite packing a tea towel down her throat. The timing of other injuries inflicted on Ms Whitehand was unclear, the court heard.

In June, Bogajevska's defence lawyer said Ms Whitehand's death was an "unintended consequence" of the assault, which she described as "spontaneous".

On the night of the manslaughter, Bogojevska put Ms Whitehand's body in her car, drove to the Maribyrnong River and pushed it into the water.

A fisherman discovered the body two days later.

Bogojevska spent more than $4,000 of Ms Whitehand's stolen money on items including shoes, an iPad and a microwave, and attempted to steal a trolley of goods from Coles in the days that followed.

She was arrested after Ms Whitehand's belongings were found in her home.

Bogojevska initially told police she was "more than 100 per cent" certain she was not responsible.

Justice Forbes said Bogojevska had endured a difficult upbringing, violent relationships and currently needed a kidney transplant. She is on dialysis three times a week.

Bogojevska's eight-year sentence for manslaughter included a six-year non-parole period.

The killer has already spent 755 days in custody, meaning her earliest parole date could be in July 2030.