Tali Atar (archives)
Reproduction: Avi Rokach
Pregnant woman stabbed to death in Ashdod
Neighbor in custody after allegedly murdering 34-year-old Tali Atar following argument over spilled coffee; doctors save victim's baby by c-section
Thirty-four-year-old Ashdod resident Tali Atar was stabbed to death by her neighbor on Sunday following an argument over spilled coffee.
Doctors at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot rescued the baby by an emergency c-section operation. The baby is in serious condition and connected to a life-support system.
Atar, who according to police sustained stab wounds to her torso and neck, died shortly after the fetus was delivered.
"The woman (Atar) arrived in critical condition. The knife penetrated her heart, and she suffered from two more deep cuts," said Dr. Yoram Klein. "We performed a c-section after detecting signs of life. The infant is on life support."
Scene of the crime (Photo: Avi Rokach)
Police arrested the murder suspect, a 38-year-old mother of two who lived one floor below the victim, at the building. They said the suspect has linked herself to the stabbing.
The murder occurred at around 1:30 pm on the first floor of a residential building in Ashdod. According to suspicions, the murderer was furious with her neighbor over spilled coffee. She chased after Atar and then stabbed her repeatedly.
Nurit, a neighbor, said the women had been involved in a long-standing dispute, adding that the suspect accused the victim of deliberately spilling coffee outside of her apartment.
"I was at home when my son yelled that (Atar) had been stabbed. When I stepped out the paramedics were already here. We understood they had argued over the coffee. The suspect would always blame (Atar) for things that happened in the building," said Nurit.
Another tenant said, "I heard screaming, cursing and threats – and then the shoving began. A few seconds later the woman was stabbed."
Family members said Atar, who had three children in addition to the new born baby, worked in a soup kitchen.
