The Locals in the remote outback town of Coober Pedy are mourning the double tragedy after a mother died of a “broken heart” days after the loss of her son. Goran Ilic, 34, was found dead at his home by his mother Elizabeth Ilic on the morning of Saturday, November 12, the local newspaper reported.

Mr. Ilic was a widely loved local in the remote South Australian Opal mining town of around 1800 people, 850 kilometers north of Adelaide.

What Actually Happened?

Mr. Ilic was a widely loved local in the remote South Australian Opal mining town of around 1800 people, 850 kilometers north of Adelaide.  The Coober Pedy Regional Times said the community was coming to terms with the loss of Ms. Ilic, a long-term resident, and her youngest son “in what locals are saying is a double tragedy”.  “Goran Ilic was popular among all age groups,” the paper reported. “He had a natural charm and was well-mannered and polite.”  His cause of death has not yet been released.

A “grief-stricken” Ms. Ilic had woke in the early hours of Monday, November 14, with severe chest pains and called friends for assistance. “An ambulance was called but Ms. Ilic passed away in hospital some hours later,” the newspaper has also reported. “Friends have related that Ms. Ilic had a heart condition and believe that the grief from her son’s death caused a heart attack.”

A person close to the family wrote on Facebook, “Tragic news. Elizabeth Ilich, Goran’s mother had died last night of a broken heart!” On Friday, the community was “further shattered” by the sudden death of local firefighter Jayden Watts.

Tributes

“We pay our respects as we mourn the loss of Jayden, a much loved and respected community member, family man, partner, father, son, brother, friend, businessman, volunteer, and much more,” the Coober Pedy Regional Times has also written. One local resident on Facebook said it had been a “horrible week for the community”. “We have lost three beautiful members of our town,” she has also written.

Ms. Ilic regularly volunteered in the local Serbian club functions. The mother and son are survived by Mr. Ilic’s father whose name goes by Dragan and brother Zoran. “Goran Ilich was a beautiful soul taken away too soon, he was a man of Serbian Orthodox Christian faith with a personality larger than life,” family friend Petar Belosevic has also written on a fundraising page for his funeral arrangements.

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“Everyone that interacted with Goran knew he was different, he could talk to anyone and charm them with his charisma and personality. Goran has left an impact on all of us in so many different ways and so many other cities.” Best friend Luka Belosevic wrote on Facebook, “RIP my brother Goran Ilich. I’ll miss you so much.” His wish was to be buried in the St. Sava Monastery in Elaine, Victoria, where he became a renewed Christian person.