Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering Woman Who Rejected Him

A man identified as Jason Blaze Ouda has been sentenced to life in prison for the aggravated murder of Yelena Granberg, 27, in Rehovot in 2022. The Central District Court in Lod also ordered Ouda to pay the maximum compensation of 258,000 shekels to Granberg's family. The court found that Ouda planned the murder after Granberg rejected his romantic advances. He attacked her in her car, stabbing her more than ten times with a knife he had purchased beforehand. The judges noted that Ouda showed no remorse and described the murder as "cruel" and "merciless." After the stabbing, Ouda drove Granberg's body to a secluded area, doused it with gasoline, but ultimately did not set it on fire.

Ouda and Granberg had been friends for about four years, during which he repeatedly asked her to enter a romantic relationship, which she refused. Following her final refusal, he decided to murder her and burn her body, preparing a knife and filling two bottles with gasoline. The court stated that Ouda murdered Granberg "simply because she did not respond to his advances and caused him to feel rejected and frustrated." He also took steps to prevent her identification, such as removing her personal belongings, including her bag, phone, and computer.

During the sentencing hearings, Granberg's mother, Tatiana Granberg, testified about her daughter's aspirations and love for animals and nature, stating that her trust in Ouda cost her life. Her sister, Nadia, also spoke about Yelena's trust in Ouda, noting that this trust ultimately cost her life. The court acknowledged that the damage caused to the family significantly exceeded the maximum compensation amount.