East Jerusalem Murder Solved: Body Found Sealed in Barrel Over Financial Dispute
Israeli police solved the murder of 61-year-old Fatima Rajabi from East Jerusalem, whose body was found sealed in a barrel. A financial dispute over tens of thousands of shekels is suspected as the motive.
Police announced today (Thursday) that they have solved the murder of 61-year-old Fatima Rajabi from East Jerusalem, whose body was found hidden inside a barrel in a storage room near the suspect's home in the A-Tur neighborhood. A prosecutor's statement has been filed against the suspect, and an indictment is expected in the coming days.
The case began on September 13 when a report was received regarding Rajabi's disappearance. Initially treated as a missing persons case, suspicions of murder grew as investigators utilized technological means and a series of investigative steps that led to the suspect's arrest. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly reenacted his actions and led police to the barrel containing the victim's body.
According to the investigation, the suspect and the victim knew each other, and the suspect owed her tens of thousands of shekels over a financial debt believed to be the motive. Police suspect the victim was picked up in the suspect's car, beaten to death with a heavy hammer, and sealed inside the barrel with sealing material to destroy evidence.
The suspect also attempted to conceal evidence in the vehicle before abandoning it in central Israel, where it was later located by police along with the murder weapon. An indictment and a request for detention until the end of proceedings are expected on October 5.
