Ex-Partner of Murdered Leah Malka Cohen Released to House Arrest Amid Ongoing Investigation

About three weeks after the murder of Leah Malka Cohen, a significant development occurred in the investigation. Chen Cohen, Malka's ex-partner who was arrested on suspicion of involvement in her killing, will be released to house arrest. This decision followed a review of the evidence collected so far, but police emphasized that this does not indicate the end of the investigation or the removal of suspicion against him.

Initially, the case was handled by the Tel Aviv district police, but it was later transferred to the Central District Unit following directives from the police chief and the Central District commander. Shortly after the transfer, investigators from the Central Unit arrested Chen Cohen and have since conducted extensive inquiries to uncover the circumstances and perpetrators behind the murder.

Leah Malka Cohen, aged 35 from Rishon Lezion, was killed on June 4, 2026, when an explosive device detonated in her vehicle on Highway 20 near the Holon interchange. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead. Early in the investigation, police believed Malka was the intended target of the assassination. Despite Cohen’s release to house arrest, authorities continue to investigate all leads, and a gag order remains in effect until July 3, prohibiting publication of details that could identify other suspects.

Nearly a month after the deadly explosion, many questions remain unanswered, including who ordered and carried out the assassination and the motive behind it. The Central District Unit continues to work on solving these critical aspects of the case.