Suspects Reconstruct Events Leading to Eldar Dayan's Death Near Petah Tikva

One of the suspects in the murder of Eldar Dayan accompanied investigators from the Sharon District Police to reconstruct the events that occurred about three weeks ago near Petah Tikva. According to the suspect's account, the incident began with a fight in a grove near the Yarkon River, where Dayan and two friends had spent the previous night drinking and smoking. A confrontation with a group of local youths escalated into a physical altercation. During their escape by car, the suspects believed they had hit one of the youths who clung to their vehicle, prompting them to change the car's license plates and hide it near a gas station.

The suspects then fled back toward the grove, splitting up when Dayan remained behind, reportedly injured from the fight. Two of the suspects hid in a nearby tunnel, assuming Dayan had escaped on his own. During the reconstruction, the suspect surprisingly found his lost mobile phone inside a water well in the tunnel. Days later, the two suspects traveled to Dimona and informed Dayan's ex-partner and family about the incident. Under pressure from Dayan's family, they eventually shared their version with the police but initially chose to remain silent, believing Dayan was still in hiding.

The investigation took a dramatic turn last week when Dayan's body was discovered near the search area. The Central District Police commander transferred the case to the Sharon District Police, and the two friends became murder suspects. Their defense teams were replaced and advised them to fully cooperate. Investigators have reviewed communications between the suspects and Dayan's family, which do not contradict their statements and may even support them. However, the suspects remain charged with murder as authorities await autopsy results to determine the cause of death. Additional questioning of the youths involved in the initial fight is ongoing, and a court hearing to extend the suspects' detention is scheduled for tomorrow.