Man Charged with Murdering Grandfather’s Caregiver in Jerusalem and Falsely Claiming Suicide

The Jerusalem District Prosecutor's Office filed a murder indictment against 31-year-old Aviaor Zaken for fatally stabbing Rajib Akhria, an Indian caregiver employed to assist Zaken’s grandfather. The incident occurred on July 23, 2026, at the grandparents’ home in Jerusalem, where Akhria had been living and working for about six weeks.

According to the indictment, Zaken, who had recently been homeless, sought to stay at his grandparents’ residence but was refused by his grandmother. On the day of the murder, Zaken arrived for lunch, and after the meal, a confrontation occurred. Zaken attempted multiple times to wear a belt from his sister’s belongings, which Akhria helped repair. Later, Zaken entered Akhria’s room and stabbed him multiple times in the neck, chest, ear, and nose with a sharp object, causing severe injuries. Akhria struggled and tried to escape but collapsed and died from blood loss.

Following the attack, Zaken falsely claimed that Akhria had committed suicide. He attempted to conceal evidence by moving Akhria’s body and cleaning bloodstains from the carpet and his hands. Zaken then left the house, taking the bloodied shirt and the weapon used in the stabbing. The prosecution is requesting that Zaken remain in custody throughout the legal proceedings.

The indictment details the injuries sustained by Akhria, including a severed central neck vein, chest wounds causing internal bleeding and pneumothorax, cuts and fractures to the ear and nose, and defensive wounds on his left hand. The case is currently before the Jerusalem District Court.