Tragedy has struck in Aruba, where a Chicago-area couple, who owned a local gym and cafe, were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide at a hotel. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Aruba police were called to the St. Regis Hotel at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, where they found Boris Jovic, 45, dead outside the hotel after having apparently "jumped" from his balcony. Inside their hotel room, officers and staff discovered the body of his wife, Cristina 'Gatia' Jovic, 52.
Known for their significant contributions to the bodybuilding community, the Jovics ran Morton Grove's Steel Fitness and the accompanying Steel Fitness Cafe at 5814 Dempster St. A growing memorial, featuring colorful flowers, candles, and condolence cards, can now be found outside the cafe, a testament to Cristina's role in the community, as per the Chicago Sun-Times. Inside the gym, a separate tribute stands for Boris, with framed pictures, flower arrangements, and a rosary.
Staff and patrons of the gym expressed their shock and fond memories of the couple. "They were a super nice, super supportive couple," Megan Mason, a recent member, told the Chicago Sun-Times. Gym staffer Konstantinos Grigoriou shared his respect for the Jovics, saying "They treat people with respect," and added that Boris was a "great business owner" and "great father." According to the same publication, he had also shared that Boris was a "great trainer" and "great coach," with several of his clients winning bodybuilding events.
A GoFundMe page, launched to support Cristina's funeral and related expenses, has quickly raised over $34,000. The page noted Cristina as "a proud mother of five, a loving grandmother, a devoted daughter, loving sister, cherished aunt, and a dear friend to so many." This detail, coming from the Chicago Sun-Times illustrates the community's deep connection to the family.
Separately, NBC Chicago reports that the police are continuing their investigation into the incident. A local Aruban newspaper, Diario, has indicated that the deaths are being treated as a murder-suicide, though specific details are yet to be officially confirmed. According to NBC Chicago, the couple, identified as B. Jozic and C. Jozic, were Illinois residents. The Steel Fitness Club honored Cristina via an Instagram post, expressing the family's deep grief following her loss. Aruba police described the incident as "regrettable and unusual" in a social media post. Despite the ongoing investigation, no further details have been shared publicly. These developments in the case have been attributed to NBC Chicago.
