Nikola Golem has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his stepfather, Tomislav Nemes, and the subsequent interference with his corpse. Brisbane’s Supreme Court heard on Friday that Golem left the 69-year-old’s body to decompose in his Benowa home for 14 months, while actively deceiving his own mother about the death. With credit for time already served, Golem will be eligible for parole next month.
The Discovery of the Remains
Queensland Police discovered the mummified remains of Mr. Nemes in April 2023 at his Gold Coast residence. The welfare check was prompted by his daughter, Suzanna Belijanski, who had spent years searching for her father. During the 14-month period following Mr. Nemes’ death, Golem and his mother continued to live in the home alongside the body. Justice Rebecca Treston noted during sentencing that Golem had misled his mother, who was described as “mentally unwell and fragile,” by claiming doctors had recommended rest and herbal treatments rather than hospital care.
Medical Neglect and Family Isolation
The court heard that Mr. Nemes had been suffering from poorly controlled diabetes, hypertension, and back pain, and had become bed-bound following a fall in 2021. According to evidence presented in court, Mr. Nemes and his wife, who were practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses, had begun to resist Western medical intervention by 2020. Golem further isolated his stepfather by seizing his phone after the older man began making financial investments, preventing him from contacting his other family that lived interstate. Ms. Belijanski testified that when she attempted to visit the home, she was met with aggression and a “string of lies” regarding her father’s whereabouts.
Did You Know? Tomislav Nemes immigrated to Australia from Yugoslavia, now Croatia, at the age of 15 and established himself as a successful businessman before his health declined.
Legal Defense and Future Eligibility
Golem’s defense lawyer, Martin Longhurst, argued that his client suffered from significant brain trauma following a car accident as an eight-month-old and possessed a low IQ of 70. The defense maintained that Golem was motivated by a fear of upsetting his mother and that he had been close with his stepfather. While the prosecution initially moved for a murder trial, the case concluded with guilty pleas for manslaughter and interfering with a corpse. Given that Golem has already served three years in custody, his upcoming parole eligibility marks the next phase in the resolution of this case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why were the police not notified sooner?
A: Mr. Nemes’ daughter, Suzanna Belijanski, reported that she had been told a “string of lies” by Golem, including claims that her father was in a hospital under an alias. She initially struggled to get a welfare check, with police at one point advising her to “knock louder.”
Q: What was the state of the home when police arrived?
A: The remains were found in a mummified state. The court heard that Golem and his mother had been living in the house with the decomposing body for 14 months, and that his mother had been sleeping beside her husband’s dead body until the smell became too strong.
Q: Will Nikola Golem remain in prison long-term?
A: No. Because he has already served three years in custody, the court ruled he is eligible for parole next month.
How should the justice system address the intersection of mental health, cognitive ability, and the responsibility to report a death?
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