Budva, Montenegro — What began as a bright, breezy afternoon on the Adriatic coast turned into an unspeakable tragedy when Tijana Radonjic, a 19-year-old rising model from Serbia, fell to her death during a parasailing session gone fatally wrong. Witnesses say panic overtook her high above the sea — and in a moment of desperation, she reportedly unfastened her own safety harness, plummeting over 40 meters into the waves below.
The incident has sparked a swirl of grief, shock, and scrutiny. But behind the headlines lies the story of a promising young woman whose final moments reflected a silent struggle not visible to the cameras that once adored her.
A Life on the Rise
Tijana Radonjic was not just another influencer with a curated grid and travel highlights. Friends describe her as “sunlight in human form” — charismatic, quirky, fiercely independent. Born and raised in Novi Sad, she began modeling at 16 and quickly built a modest following on social media. By 18, she was walking in regional fashion shows and collaborating with Balkan fashion houses.
“She wanted to show girls from small towns that they could dream bigger,” said Milena Vukic, a fellow model and close friend. “But she also carried more anxiety than anyone knew.”
In recent months, Tijana had opened up about dealing with anxiety and claustrophobia. She posted sporadically about her mental health, sharing quotes about courage and self-worth between snapshots from shoots in Belgrade and Split.
Her final trip — a promotional campaign for an adventure company in Montenegro — was supposed to be her break into international tourism and fashion collaborations.
The Parasailing Promotion That Turned Fatal
The parasailing activity was part of a campaign encouraging young tourists to “conquer the skies.” Organizers say Tijana had volunteered for the parasailing segment of the shoot, conducted over the glittering coast near Budva.
According to local officials and eyewitnesses, Tijana underwent a standard safety briefing before being fitted with a harness and attached to the parasail. For the first few minutes, she smiled and waved at the cameras.
But once she was airborne, everything changed.
“She started screaming just a few seconds after lifting off,” said a bystander who filmed parts of the session. “She yelled, ‘Let me down!’ and was clearly panicking.”
Witnesses describe a harrowing scene as the boat crew attempted to communicate with her and maneuver her back toward shore. But tragically, within moments, Tijana reportedly unhooked or loosened her own harness in a state of panic.
She fell from an estimated height of 45 meters (around 150 feet), landing in the water with a force that rendered her unconscious. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but she was pronounced dead shortly after being pulled from the sea.
Questions of Responsibility and Regulation
Authorities in Montenegro have launched an investigation into the incident, including how a visibly distressed participant remained airborne and whether the equipment used had sufficient safeguards.
“We are examining whether the harness was up to code, and whether crew responses were appropriate given the visible distress,” said Inspector Luka Kovacevic.
Critics argue the adventure sports industry, especially during the busy tourist season, often prioritizes speed and spectacle over safety and mental health screening.
“There’s no standard protocol for identifying someone with panic disorder or trauma triggers,” said Dr. Jelena Tomovic, a psychologist specializing in post-traumatic stress. “Yet adventure sports put people in extreme psychological conditions.”
The parasailing operator has temporarily suspended operations and released a brief statement expressing “deep sorrow and condolences” to Tijana’s family, claiming they “followed all routine safety procedures.”
The Silent Panic: Mental Health in High-Risk Spaces
Tijana’s tragic fall has opened wider conversations about mental health in adventure tourism and the modeling industry alike. Social media has flooded with hashtags like #FlyForTijana and #AnxietyIsReal, calling for better mental health awareness in high-pressure environments.
Modeling agencies and campaign managers are now being urged to include mental health check-ins, especially for younger talents often asked to participate in physically demanding or emotionally taxing shoots.
“She was told she was brave for doing the shoot,” said one anonymous producer on the campaign. “But no one asked her if she was scared.”
In Serbia, students have begun organizing awareness events in her honor. A mural of Tijana with wings painted by local artist Marko Djuric now adorns a wall near her former school.
A Final Post, A Last Glimpse
One of the most haunting aspects of Tijana’s story is her final social media post, made just hours before her death: a selfie on the boat, parasail in the background, captioned simply with a cloud emoji and a heart.
“She looked peaceful in that photo,” said her younger brother Luka. “But we know peace isn’t always visible. We hope her story makes people look a little deeper.”
Her family has since asked for privacy, issuing only a short statement thanking the public for their support and urging young people to seek help when struggling.
Remembering Tijana
Though her life ended far too soon, Tijana Radonjic leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond modeling. Her story has become a rallying point for safer industry practices and compassion for those silently battling mental health issues.
“She flew with courage,” said Milena, holding back tears. “And now she flies free.”
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