Cops failed to act to stop a campaign of threats and abuse by this woman's former lover who told her if she could not be his, then nobody would have her shortly before murdering her and her dad.
Gorgeous Rosica Koceva, 31, was found lying with severe stab wounds in her garden in Veles, North Macedonia, on 15th September.
She was immediately taken to hospital by emergency medical services where doctors later confirmed her death.
Rosica Koceva poses in undated photo. Her ex partner killed her and her father in Veles, North Macedonia, on Sept.15, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
Shortly afterwards, officers also found her father, 74-year-old Kiro Kocev, lifeless inside his nearby home on the same street after having been stabbed to death.
In the same house, police discovered Rosica's former partner, 39-year-old Ilija Stefanovski, who was also suffering from stab wounds.
According to investigators, he is suspected of attacking both victims before turning the weapon on himself.
He was taken under escort to hospital in Veles where medical staff confirmed that he had also died from his injuries.
Ilija Stefanovski poses in undated photo. He killed Rosica Koceva and her father in Veles, North Macedonia, on Sept.15,2025. Note Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
Rosica had been in a relationship with Stefanovski until October 2024.
After the break-up, Stefanovski tried to get back together, but Rosica refused and furious Stefanovski then began to threaten her and abused her on several occasions.
Only a few days before she was killed Rosica gave a formal statement to prosecutors in Veles describing her most recent encounter with Stefanovski.
She said that when she tried to leave his car he threatened her with the words either "you will be mine or you will be dead."
Rosica Koceva poses in undated photo. Her ex partner killed her and her father in Veles, North Macedonia, on Sept.15, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
She also told officials that after driving her to Skopje, Stefanovski assaulted her physically by hitting her on the body and then continued making threats.
Rosica had reportedly filed over 70 complaints citing violence and harassment from her ex to police and to prosecutors.
In January of this year (2025), she reported to police in Veles that Stefanovski had harassed her late at night while she was walking her dog.
In February, she reported that he physically attacked her in the yard of a primary school in Veles during the night.
In May, she reported that Stefanovski sprayed graffiti with threats and insults naming her and her stepbrother on several locations in Veles and that he also sent offensive messages through social media to her father and to a close friend.
When questioned by police in Skopje, Stefanovski denied responsibility for the graffiti and a police report was filed on the incident.
Ilija Stefanovski poses in undated photo. He killed Rosica Koceva and her father in Veles, North Macedonia, on Sept.15,2025. Note Private photo taken from social media. (Newsflash/NX)
Also in May, police in Veles recorded a case of arson after a car belonging to her father was set on fire.
Rosica later reported that the vehicle had been stolen from outside her father’s home the previous evening before it was found burning.
That same month, she informed prosecutors that Stefanovski was ignoring a restraining order and continued to send her threatening and offensive messages.
Police have confirmed that they have been analysing his phone records since June as part of an ongoing investigation.
Prosecutors in Veles eventually charged Stefanovski with endangerment and violence connected to the earlier incidents.
He was handed a suspended sentence by the Basic Court in Veles on 10th September.
Just five days later, he murdered Rosica.
Picture shows the house where the incident happened, undated. Rosica Koceva and her father were killed in Veles, North Macedonia, on Sept.15,2025. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
The brutal crime has sparked outrage in the country, with many accusing the authorities of failing to act despite the numerous appeals for help by the victim.
The Platform for Gender Equality has announced a protest on 18th September demanding justice for Rosica and other victims of gender-based violence.
Police said that the investigation into that case and its connection to Stefanovski is still continuing.
(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)