Reality Star Shay Mika Denies Involvement in Reopened Murder Case of Tair Rada

Nearly 20 years after the shocking murder of Tair Rada at the Nofei Golan school in Katzrin, Israeli police have reopened the investigation to explore new leads based on recent information. This development sparked renewed rumors on social media implicating Shay Mika Yifrah, a reality TV winner and former friend of Tair who was present at the school on the day of the murder.

In a televised interview on Channel 13's "HaTzinor," Yifrah strongly denied any connection to the case or the rumors of her arrest, calling the allegations baseless and attributing the attention to her celebrity status. She expressed shock at how far the story had spread and emphasized that she had never been a suspect, stating, "I lost a friend." Yifrah also responded to accusations from Tair’s mother, Ilana Rada, who claimed the two were not friends and that Yifrah exploited Tair’s name for publicity. Yifrah urged to end the speculation and expressed empathy for Ilana’s loss, acknowledging her own anger toward Ilana in the past.

Yifrah explained that mentioning Tair’s name publicly was not malicious but part of her life story, and she refused to be vilified online. She also revealed that she had avoided discussing the case for years out of fear and trauma. When asked who she believed was responsible for the murder, Yifrah said she had long suspected Roman Zadorov, the school janitor who was convicted in 2010 but ultimately acquitted in March 2023 after serving 17 years in prison. Zadorov later received a 17 million shekel compensation from the state.

Following the interview, Yifrah posted on Instagram thanking supporters and vowing not to let detractors ruin her life. The police investigation continues as authorities review new evidence in the case that has haunted the community for two decades.