Hell in Ledinci: How Monster Mladen Ogulinac Raped, Killed, and Buried Little Marija in His Backyard
Fifteen years ago, Serbia was shaken to its core. Eight-year-old Marija Jovanović from Ledinci near Novi Sad never came home. The neighbor, notorious Mladen Ogulinac (52), lured the girl into his home, showed her pornographic content, and then brutally raped her. When little Marija said she would tell her mother everything, the monster stuffed a handkerchief in her mouth and suffocated her. To make the horror even worse, he buried her body in his backyard.
Villagers immediately suspected Ogulinac, known for his bad reputation in the village. The search involved the gendarmerie and locals, and the body was found thanks to a policeman who noticed a cat persistently meowing at a freshly dug grave. Marija’s little hand was the first chilling sign of the horror they uncovered.
Ogulinac died of a heart attack in prison on August 2nd of the same year, the day Marija was supposed to celebrate her eighth birthday. Justice never came to court, and the monster was buried in an unmarked grave in strict secrecy.
Marija’s Law: The Fight for Justice
Marija’s father, Slobodan Jovanović, initiated a push for stricter laws against child rapists. In 2013, Serbia passed the so-called “Marija’s Law” — a special law with tougher control measures over convicted pedophiles and the introduction of a registry of sexual predators with all their personal data.
This law brought hope to many but also serves as a grim reminder that horrific crimes happen and society must stay vigilant.
Why Do Such Crimes Happen?
Stories like this shock us, but they are not isolated. Crimes against children are the most horrific and hardest for society to bear. Even though the law exists, the question remains how well it is enforced and how truly society protects its youngest members.
Conclusion: We Must Not Forget Marija
Fifteen years after this monstrous crime, the memory of Marija must push us to action. Justice is not just in laws but in our vigilance, solidarity, and readiness to protect children.
Got thoughts on this case or how society can better fight such crimes? Drop a comment below. Let’s keep the conversation alive so tragedies like this never happen again!
