UPDATE: Just confirmed, the Kotor District Prosecutor’s Office has ruled that no one is criminally responsible for the tragic death of Tijana Radonjic, a 19-year-old who died during a parasailing incident in Budva on May 28, 2025. This decision comes nearly nine months after her death, which has sparked outrage among her family and the public.
The prosecutor’s office stated there was “no founded suspicion” against the organizers or crew members involved in the incident, claiming no criminal act had been committed. However, Tijana’s family, represented by lawyer Mirko Bogicevic, vehemently disputes this conclusion, arguing that critical video evidence was ignored and the investigation was flawed.
On the day of the tragedy, Tijana participated in a promotional parasailing ride organized by Jet Sky Budva. The incident occurred around 11:00 AM when Tijana, while in the air, began waving and shouting for help before falling from a height estimated between 50 and 70 meters into the sea. The autopsy revealed her death was caused by drowning and respiratory failure due to inhaling blood from a lung injury.
The key piece of evidence, a 24-minute video from the parasailing camera, reportedly shows Tijana in distress for over two minutes, pleading for the ride to be stopped. Bogicevic claims this evidence contradicts the prosecutor’s assertion of no responsibility, indicating a severe lack of response from the crew. The video demonstrates her panic and calls for help, yet crew members allegedly failed to act promptly, only realizing she was missing after several minutes.
Despite the video evidence and expert testimonies indicating serious safety violations during the parasailing operation, the prosecutor’s office dismissed these findings as insufficient to establish a direct link between any alleged negligence and Tijana’s tragic fall. They emphasized that her actions—unbuckling her harness—were the immediate cause of the accident.
The family plans to appeal the prosecutor’s decision to the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica, asserting that the investigation’s handling was excessively lenient and that the crew’s contradictory statements warrant further scrutiny. Eyewitness accounts from a nearby vessel indicate that another party was responsible for rescuing Tijana from the water, raising further questions about the crew’s response.
Bogicevic highlighted the critical need for accountability in such high-risk commercial activities, stating, “If a person in the air signals for help, the crew must have a duty and the ability to respond.” This case is not just about a tragic loss but could set a precedent for the regulation of adventure sports in Montenegro.
The decision to drop criminal charges has left Tijana’s family devastated, as they continue to seek justice and clarity regarding the circumstances of her death. The forthcoming appeal could have far-reaching implications for safety standards in adrenaline-fueled tourist activities along Montenegro’s coast.
As this story develops, all eyes are on the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office and whether they will uphold the initial ruling or reopen the investigation into the events that led to Tijana Radonjic’s untimely death.
