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Social media is once again in mourning, especially in Serbia, after the heartbreaking loss of 19-year-old influencer and model Tijana Radonjic, who died on May 28 in Budva, Montenegro, during a parasailing excursion gone tragically wrong. Tijana, on vacation at the time, had joined a promotional shoot for a local water sports company when the incident occurred.
According to eyewitnesses and reports from local media, Tijana agreed to take part in the parasailing ride, a sport in which a person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute, in exchange for recording promotional footage for social media. The company’s owner recalled that she seemed cheerful and calm before the flight, even asking her cousin to film her takeoff for a TikTok post.
But once airborne, roughly 165 feet above the Adriatic Sea, Tijana appeared to suffer a panic attack. As reported by Republika, she began screaming, "Get me down! Help me!" and attempted to remove her safety harness and life jacket.
A camera mounted on her equipment captured the harrowing moment: Tijana can be seen visibly distressed, gasping for air, struggling with the gear, before ultimately plummeting into the sea.
Emergency services responded swiftly, but were unable to save her. Her body was recovered from the water shortly after the fall.
Grief, Questions, and an Ongoing Investigation
Authorities in Kotor have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact circumstances of her death. They are currently reviewing the operator's safety protocols, the condition of the gear, and awaiting the results of the autopsy.
Mirko Krdzic, owner of the parasailing company, expressed shock and sorrow following the incident. “We don’t know why the harness came undone,” he said. “I don’t believe she did it intentionally, likely it was a moment of uncontrollable fear. We’re all in shock. I hope to meet her parents to offer my condolences.”
Some accounts suggest that Tijana may have thought something was malfunctioning, which could have triggered her panic. The company maintains she was given a safety briefing beforehand and showed no signs of anxiety. Her family has demanded a thorough investigation and firmly rejected any attempts to imply she was at fault.
A Community in Mourning
Tijana Radonjic’s funeral was held this Monday in her hometown of Novi Sad, where loved ones gathered to say their goodbyes. Through tears, her parents, Branka and Goran, shared a heartbreaking tribute, “We will never accept this, or that you are gone. You will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace, our angel, you are one now.”
Her aunt, who had been vacationing with her, also posted an emotional farewell online, “We should be picking swimsuits, sipping coffee while the baby naps… not planning your funeral. I can still hear your laughter.”
Friends flooded social media with memories and tributes, “Always smiling, full of life. If I had to choose someone to grow up with again, it would still be you,” one childhood friend wrote.
A Wake-up Call: The Risk and Online Pressure
Tijana’s tragic death has reignited conversations around safety in extreme sports and the growing pressure young people face in today’s social media-driven world. From brand partnerships to viral content demands, the pursuit of digital fame can sometimes lead to real-life danger. Her story serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that can come with chasing the perfect post.