Israeli Mother and Daughter Vanish in Vienna Amid Unsolved Mystery and Family Pleas

Nearly a week has passed since Mally Yehulomi and her daughter Liel were last seen in Vienna, sparking an ongoing investigation shrouded in mystery. The last known phone location of the two, who were observing the Sabbath and reportedly celebrating Mally's birthday in Europe, was near a major city train station in Vienna, a key transport hub that could have allowed them to travel anywhere in Europe. This detail has heightened suspicions that they may have left Vienna voluntarily.

The family’s concern grew after Mally’s sister, Elinor, lost contact following a video sent from their Vienna apartment on Friday. They were supposed to return to Israel from Prague on Tuesday night but never boarded their flight. The apartment they rented was in Vienna’s fifth district, notably distant from the city’s main tourist areas and two Chabad houses, raising questions about their choice of location and why they left the apartment during the Sabbath, taking all their belongings with them.

The investigation is being led by the National Unit for Combating Economic Crime (YALAK) within Lahav 433, with a gag order imposed on the case. Authorities emphasize that all leads are being explored, including the possibility of deliberate deletion of phone location data and the fact that the women reportedly carried a significant amount of cash. Contrary to some reports, Israeli security services like Mossad are not involved, and there is no evidence of kidnapping or nationalist motives. Austrian police have ruled out criminal or terror-related causes.

The disappearance has also impacted Bank of Jerusalem’s stock, which dropped sharply amid rumors linking the case to the bank, though the bank has denied any connection or financial irregularities. Mally’s brother, Ronen Yehulomi, described the situation as baffling, stating the family is considering numerous scenarios but has no clear leads. He also clarified that Mally and Liel’s father is not closely involved but is worried. The family urges authorities not to dismiss any investigative avenues, highlighting Mally’s financial independence and the sudden nature of the trip, which Liel had organized as a surprise birthday celebration for her mother.