PBSO: woman victim of domestic violence dies

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Slobodan Dragic of Suburban West Palm Beach made his first appearance before a Palm Beach County judge on charges that he shot and killed his wife, Jelena Dragic.

Slobodan Dragic told investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office that he purchased a gun ten days prior to the murder.

Dragic according to PBSO confessed to killing his wife and told them that he could not take the family problems any more.

The shooting happened happened at 692 Harth Drive in Suburban West Palm Beach.

It was shocking to neighbors like Charles Lowe.

"Anything could happen anywhere, you know what i mean? Who knows what the real story behind it was. Obviously the guy was going through something," said Lowe.

 Dragic was caught a short time after the shooting at Dreher park by PBSO Deputies and West Palm Beach Police.

Slobodan Dragic is being held in jail without bond.

This is the third domestic violence murder in Palm Beach County in under a week.

Even the county victim services division is taken back.

"It just brings to light how vulnerable our domestic violence victims are," said Sandy Reynolds, senior program coordinator for Palm Beach County’s victim services division.

Today marks the beginning of domestic violence awareness month.

Reynolds said it couldn't come at a more important time.

On Saturday, Aniel Escobar was arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife and killing her friend.

Then Monday, Patrick Dell murdered his estranged wife and four step children before turning the gun on himself.

The victims services division has handled 13 hundred domestic violence cases since last October.

A number that's more alarming is 12 thousand.

That's how many domestic violence calls sheriff's deputies responded in the past year.

Reynolds wants people to know resources are in place to help because sometimes, a restraining order isn't enough.

"All of this is hopeful that the violence will stop. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the offender is just not going to stop until they finish the job," said Reynolds.

Reynolds says domestic violence victims need to get help, find a safe place to live and getting police involved.

Phone numbers to organizations that can help in domestic violence cases are:
Palm Beach County Victim Services 1-866-891-7273;
YWCA Harmony House 1-800-973-9922;
Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse 1-800-355-8547
Florida Resource Center for Women and Children 561-848-8383