Michael James Jaensch was allegedly murdered in December, 2025. Photo: Supplied.
UPDATE, 3pm: The woman accused of murdering a man in a Braddon unit will face further court-ordered forensic testing.
Earlier today, an ACT Policing spokesperson said officers have been investigating the death of 44-year-old Michael James Jaensch in a Braddon unit in December last year.
In a statement, his sister, Sarah, said he had “an open, unguarded heart”, and described him as being driven by “kindness and loyalty” to everyone he met.
“He was kind to everyone, generous, loyal and guided by a gentle naïveté that comes from assuming the best in others,” she wrote.
“He worked as a dedicated ACT Public Servant who spent over 20 years in healthcare. … My family is shattered, and our lives have been permanently altered.”
Olivia Kajkic faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (30 January), where she was formally charged with murder.
Prosecutor Tahlia Drumgold applied for court orders that would allow for blood, fingerprints, hair samples, footprints and a DNA swab to be taken from Ms Kajkic for testing.
The court heard that two blood samples were previously taken from her.
An ACT Policing senior constable told the court that there were concerns that those samples could not be used for multiple tests.
“There’s the possibility that there may not be a sufficient sample, because it was only expected to be used for toxicology testing,” he said.
He also said the buccal swab (where the inside of a person’s cheek is swabbed for DNA) was being sought, as this is considered the least invasive method of obtaining a DNA profile.
Following forensic testing, the results would be compared to a hair allegedly found at the scene.
The court also heard from a forensic biologist, who said a small amount from the earlier blood samples could be used in a DNA test. The remainder could then be sent for toxicology testing.
“Both blood and saliva are good sources of DNA,” she said.
The forensic biologist added that using the sample could raise concerns around the chain of custody, and the court could “be assured” of a sample’s integrity if a new one was taken using a specialised kit.
Ms Kajkic’s lawyer, Alyssa Zanardo, objected to the buccal swab, saying there was limited “probative value” in getting it.
“Ultimately, it’s not a matter of what’s preferable for police … It’s a matter of means, and the means is they can use that blood [which was taken previously],” she argued.
Magistrate Jane Campbell ultimately found that while the existing blood samples could be tested for DNA, the public interest of confirming Ms Kajkic’s alleged involvement outweighed that.
The court heard that Ms Kajkic has also been charged with attempted murder over the alleged stabbing of a different man in January 2026.
She is next set to appear in court at a later date. No pleas have been entered.
9:45 am – A 37-year-old Braddon woman will be charged with murder over a man’s “suspicious” death, police say.
On Friday (30 January), an ACT Policing spokesperson said officers have been investigating the death of a man in a Braddon unit in December last year.
At about 11:30 pm on 20 December, police were called to a unit on Lowanna Street in Braddon, following reports of an injured man at that location.
Upon arrival, the man was located deceased inside the unit.
“He was identified as a 44-year-old from Belconnen and his death was treated as suspicious,” the spokesperson said.
Following their enquiries, ACT Policing Homicide Squad detectives will today charge a 37-year-old woman with murder.
She is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court later today.
Anyone with information about the alleged incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers, quoting P2408490.
You are on the money there, Colin Wood. The current system is wide open to rorting as well in the… View