The Hamilton 2024 Homicide Victim List is available here
Hamilton Police Service received a report that an adult male had attacked several members of his family at their residence on Hamilton Mountain on May 31, 2024.
HPS said during the course of that investigation, police also learned that this same adult male had attacked his 86-year old mother, Milka Spanovic, on May 25, 2024. Mrs. Spanovic was still in hospital being treated for her injuries at that time.
As a result of the investigation 59-year old Gojko Spanovic of Hamilton was arrested on May 31, 2024 and charged with several criminal offences including aggravated assault upon his mother. At the time of his arrest, Gojko Spanovic was on two separate release orders for alleged criminal offences committed against members of his family in 2024.
Milka Spanovic remained in hospital and subsequently died on June 7, 2024. The Homicide Unit took over carriage of this investigation, and on October 9, 2024 the Homicide Unit received the necessary documentation from the Ontario Forensic Pathology Unit in Toronto linking Mrs. Spanovic’s death to injuries sustained in this incident. As a result, the aggravated assault charge against Gojko Spanovic has now been upgraded to manslaughter.
Gojko Spanovic is currently charged with the following offences as a result of the three incidents in 2024:
– Manslaughter
– Assault with a Weapon – 2 counts
– Assault (choking) – 2 counts
– Assault – 4 counts
– Forcible Confinement
– Threaten Death – 2 counts
– Fail to Comply with Conditions of an Undertaking – 4 counts
– Fail to Comply with Conditions of a Release Order – 7 counts
– Mischief Damaging Property Under $5,000.00 – 2 counts
Police are unable to comment further on the nature of the assaults or the cause of death.
Update May 7th 2026:
According to The Hamilton Spectator, an Ontario judge has found Gojko (George) Spanovic guilty of manslaughter in the 2024 death of his 86-year-old mother, Milka Spanovic. Judge Martha Zivolak said Milka repeatedly told hospital staff that her son had caused the severe chemical burns that ultimately led to her death, though she also expressed that she did not want police involved because “he is my son.”
The court heard that Milka suffered second- and third-degree burns over much of her body after bleach was intentionally applied to her skin. Evidence presented during the trial included Milka’s statements to medical staff, testimony from family members, and forensic findings. The judge rejected Gojko Spanovic’s explanation that his mother had accidentally fallen into a bathtub containing bleach, calling his account not credible. She had already suffered a subdural hemorrhage from blows to the head.
The ruling also found Spanovic guilty on several other charges involving violence and threats against family members, including aggravated assault, forcible confinement, and uttering threats. Investigators described the crime as especially disturbing because the victim was elderly and vulnerable.
If you have any information that you believe could assist police with the investigation into this crime, you are asked to contact Detective Trevor Bland by calling 905-546-4921.