Police Confirm Eldar Dayan's Body Found Near Highway 40, Two Friends Suspected of Murder

Israeli police confirmed on August 6 that the body found near Highway 40 close to Petah Tikva is that of Eldar Dayan, a 22-year-old from Dimona who had been missing for about three weeks. The discovery followed extensive searches by the Sharon District Police, Petah Tikva station officers, Border Police fighters, and volunteers. The body was found near the location where Dayan's car, along with two friends, was abandoned. Clothing items linked to Dayan were also recovered at the site.

The identification was completed at the National Forensic Medicine Center through advanced DNA testing, confirming the remains as Dayan's. The police released a recording of a call received shortly after Dayan was last seen alive. A witness at a gas station reported a car arriving with a shattered windshield and visible blood stains, after which the occupants fled, leaving the vehicle parked.

Dayan had gone out on July 16 with two childhood friends to central Israel. He sent a message to his girlfriend indicating trouble but then his phone went off and he lost contact with family and friends. Investigations revealed the trio stayed at the Bella Hotel in Tel Aviv before going to Yarkon Park, where a fight broke out with another group. After leaving the scene, they stopped at a nearby Paz gas station where the damaged car was spotted.

The two friends were initially detained on suspicion of involvement in Dayan's disappearance and providing conflicting statements. They are also suspected of participating in the fight and running over a member of the other group before fleeing. Following the discovery and identification of Dayan's body, their charges were upgraded to murder. The court extended their detention by six days as the investigation continues.