Crime scene – parents suspected of murder
Photo: Avihu Shapira
Parents suspected in woman's killing
Shocking murder in North: Parents detained by police after 25-year-old Druze woman stabbed to death Wednesday evening; father initially confesses to murder, then blames mother. Police believe woman killed over suspicions of dishonoring family's image
Shocking murder in the North: A 25-year old woman from the village of Rama near Karmiel, in the north of the country, was stabbed to death Wednesday evening in an apparent "honor killing" committed by one or both of her parents.
An "honor killing" is a term used to describe the murder of a female who has tarnished the family's image, usually by engaging in unwarranted sexual activity.
Mother detained – bloodstained pants (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
The victim's father called in the police and initially confessed to murdering his daughter. However, during their interrogation later, both parents blamed each other for the killing.The daughter's body was found in an open field east of a kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar carrying multiple stab wounds. Police officers promptly detained the parents, whose clothes were bloodstained.
A Magen David Adom ambulance team dispatched to the area pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Large police forces also arrived at the site and launched an investigation into the crime.
An initial investigation showed that the woman arrived at the area with her parents to pick fruit. An argument later ensued and at one point one of the parents apparently pulled out a knife and proceeded to stab the victim to death. Police estimate the parents suspected the woman dishonored the family.
Meanwhile, news of the murder spread through the village of Rama. The killed woman belongs to a Druze family that has resided in the community for many years.
A police official said two frightened emergency phone calls were received by police Wednesday evening. A man first reported a stabbing, and later called to say a murder took place. A police cruiser arrived at the scene and spotted a man standing in the area. The man, later identified as the father, led officers to the body, with the mother also present at the scene.
"The man, who after a quick questioning session turned out to be the young woman's father, claimed he murdered his daughter during a dispute. We estimate it was motivated by a suspicion of dishonoring the family," the police official said earlier.
Police officials will bring the parents before a judge and ask that they be kept in custody while the investigation continues.
