Ushrenko killer's parents released on bail
Mother's boss says, 'Olga Kerlik is best person I know, she is not to blame for what her son did'
Olga and Oleg Kerlik, the parents of Damian Kerlik, who allegedly murdered six members of the Ushrenko family, were released from custody on bail Monday along with Damian's sister-in-law, Masha Elinich.
Upon her release from prison, Damian's mother said, "It's hard for me to believe my son did this. It's a tragedy. I feel like I have awoken from a bad dream." She and her husband are suspected of assisting their son in concealing evidence after the murder.
Markus Rodel, who owns the restaurant at which Olga Kerlik works, posted bail for all three family members and explained that he did not see them as responsible for Damian's crimes.
"I am performing a noble act. This is a family that has no one here in Israel. Olga is the best person I know, and she is not to blame for what her son did," Rodel said.
Masha Elinich said upon her release that the ordeal had been nightmarish. "I just want to go home to my mother," she said.
"It's difficult for me, and no one can judge me because they haven't been in my shoes. I remained in that home because it's my family, and their girl is like my little sister," she added.
Earlier Monday, police said Kerlik may be linked to two other murders which took place in Russia.
Investigators at the Police Central Unit contacted Moscow Monday in an attempt to gather more information. Meanwhile, the police asked the Ramla District Court to remand Kerlik and his wife, Natalia.
Kerlik's possible connection to other murders was discovered during his daughter's investigation: She told investigators that her father had confessed other murders to her, leading them to believe he was hiding previous criminal acts.
A police source told Ynet, "At this point we are treating this as initial information. We don't know if anything will come of it, but we have to look into it."
